In Falkner's "As I Lay Dying" the father claimed he would die if he broke a sweat; is this possible?

Question

I come across people on a daily basis who say they can't shovel snow or do manual labor because of asthma or some other illness. In the book it perhaps was just laziness or a case of hypochondria but I was wondering if there was something medically legitamate (even slightly) that we could ascribe to him or maybe even an old common belief of the time that might make sense. [ I know there are some geniuses out there so looking forward to some answers :o) ]

Answer 1

Yes it is very possible. People die all the time shoveling snow. They have heart attacks. The father in As I Lay Dying was doing some very difficult tasks. Remember - never criticize a man until you have walked a mile in his moccasins. You cannot know what someone else's medical condition is unless you are him or his Dr. Yes - I think the father would have died. In fact there were a few times in the book I thought he would join his wife.

Answer 2

it's a figurative expression by which faulkner is in essence saying that the character is lazy and shiftless.

atp

AILY is one of my favorite all time books.

Answer 3

He was exaggerating to avoid work - he was extremely lazy and self-centered.