What primary event propels the plot of "As I Lay Dying"?

The primary event that propels the plot of "As I Lay Dying" is the death of Addie Bundren. Her passing sets in motion a series of actions and decisions by her family members, each of whom grapples with their own complex relationships with her and their motivations for fulfilling her last wishes. The family's journey to transport Addie's body to her hometown for burial becomes the central focus of the narrative, creating various conflicts and revealing deeper themes of duty, identity, and the nuances of family dynamics. Each chapter, told from different characters' perspectives, reflects how Addie's death impacts their lives and drives the story forward, making her death the catalyst for the events that unfold throughout the novel.