As I Lay Dying works the idea of pride into almost all the characters. Anse is constantly reminding the other characters that Addie wouldn't begrudge him another day because he is doing his best to get her to Jefferson.
Anse is by all accounts lazy and good for nothing. However, he has a sense of pride that he should accept no help on this journey to get his wife to rest. There seems to be little evidence as to why he is so worried about other characters possibly having some sort of hold over him.
I'm not saying that this makes him less real or believable. It makes him more believable because there are plenty of these people around, even if I don't know they're motivations.
The real humor of the novel is trying to figure out why some of these characters would agree to take part in this journey. Yes, in theory it's because they love their mother and want to honor her wishes.
Jewel may not biologically be Anse's son, but he is Anse's son. Jewel is overly concerned with not being in debt to Anse. He says that he would sooner kill his horse than let it eat Anse's food.
The other characters seem less concerned with being beholden but only seem to follow Anse. They never turn down offers until after Anse has turned it down first.
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