Introduction
“A Rose for Emily” is a 1930 short story written by William Faulkner that is considered a classic tale of the South. It tells the story of a young woman, Emily, struggling with the changing times and not being able to adapt to them. The story is narrated by a mysterious man who reveals his true identity as a family member only at the end of the tale. Precisely a number of plot twists, such as the murder of Emily’s love interest, the tragedy of the text, and various literary devices like death being the symbol of the dying traditions and psychological decline, made me like this story (Faulkner, 1930). In “A Rose for Emily,” one may see the significance of the historical context, the features of literary regionalism, and valuable themes that belong to a larger literary tradition.
The Author’s Background
William Faulkner was an American author who wrote short stories, novels, and plays. He was born and raised in Oxford, Mississippi, and is still widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century representing the tradition of literary regionalism. Faulkner’s writings are known for their Southern Gothic style and exploration of the human condition. In 1949, the author was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, and in 1955, he received Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Faulkner’s life and works were heavily influenced by the culture and history of South Americans, as well as the opposition of the North and South.
The Historical Context
Knowledge of the story’s historical context helps me gain a better understanding of the described events. I am acquainted with the former views of White people on African Americans and the rigorous opposition between Northerners and Southerners. Therefore, I understand, for instance, that Emily’s readiness to marry someone from the opposing party is actually a significant step toward the changing world (Faulkner, 1930, p. 2). The story itself also heightens my understanding of the historical moment as it provides an insight into the changing social and cultural dynamics of the South during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Examples of people’s opinions, the changing role of women in society, and other aspects of the text support my theoretical knowledge of that period.
Literary Regionalism
Literary regionalism is a literary tradition based on the concept of local color, presenting a particular region’s various features and characteristics. It was popularized in the late 19th century and can be considered the preferred tradition of William Faulkner. “A Rose for Emily” contains several features that allow relating this text to literary regionalism, including the fact that it is set in a fictional town. Faulkner (1930) describes the culture and traditions of the Deep South, and through his vivid imagery and language, the author captures the town’s unique atmosphere. Thus, while this is not directly related to the plot, the Grierson Mansion’s decaying grandeur and the townspeople’s gossipy nature are described greatly (Faulkner, 1930). Literary regionalism often refers to the theme of change, and “A Rose for Emily” is not an exception – when the surrounding environment changes, Emily tries to stick to tradition and resist the new. Finally, most writings that belong to literary regionalism have a narrator who somehow helps the readers to get acquainted with the area’s culture, like in the identified short story.
Several rhetorical strategies, techniques, and style features of this tradition are used in the writing. Thus, Faulkner (1930) uses a stream-of-consciousness narrative structure, allowing the reader to experience the story from multiple characters’ perspectives. Additionally, the author utilizes imagery to evoke a sense of the Gothic atmosphere of the story’s setting through the description of the house:
“But garages and cotton gins had encroached and obliterated even the august names of that neighborhood; only Miss Emily’s house was left, lifting its stubborn and coquettish decay above the cotton wagons and the gasoline pumps – an eyesore among eyesores” (Faulkner, 1930, p. 1).
Further, Faulkner (1930) employs a variety of dialects and slang to emphasize the cultural and regional differences between characters. Finally, he relies heavily on symbolism, such as the titular rose, to explore the theme of love and loss, the power of the past, and its impact on the present. Through these strategies, Faulkner creates a vivid, atmospheric portrait of the South, the town, and its citizens.
Visible Themes
The story’s main themes are loneliness, patriarchy, the power of tradition, the inevitability of change, and the effects of time. Emily is a tragic character suffering from loneliness and isolation due to her father’s death and her inability to accept change in the modern world (Faulkner, 1930). The rigid traditions of the South, such as Emily’s refusal to pay taxes, are a source of both comfort and oppression for her. Although the woman tries to resist, her life is controlled by her father and other male figures in the town, which highlights the topics of patriarchy and feminism (Faulkner, 1930). The effects of time are seen throughout the story, as Emily’s life is a living embodiment of the passing of generations and the changes brought about by the modern world.
Larger Literary Tradition
It is possible to connect the theme of patriarchy in this short story to the larger literary tradition. Feminist literature highlights the ways that females were oppressed by men, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries. Various authors wrote about women either following the lead of their husbands and other males or trying to resist them in order to establish new societal roles. In “A Rose for Emily,” Faulkner (1930) describes the ‘obedient’ and ‘opposing’ females. For example, while Emily does not follow the rules created by the patriarchal society, others say: “no Negro woman should appear on the streets without an apron” (Faulkner, 1930, para. 3). Therefore, one may certainly refer this short story to feminist literature.
What I Learned from the Writing
“A Rose for Emily” is a short story that will remain in my thoughts for a long time. Faulkner’s (1930) literary work taught me that there should be a balance between sticking to traditions and welcoming changes. Otherwise, potential consequences of not maintaining this balance may be chaos, emotional and physical decline, and the inability or difficulty to find one’s place in the world. Emily’s refusal to become a part of the new world has resulted in tragic events, which is a lesson everyone should take.
Conclusion
In conclusion, one may say that William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” is a powerful writing that explores the themes of death, loneliness, change, oppression, and patriarchy. The story is told through the eyes of the narrator, which is one of several features of literary regionalism – a tradition that the text belongs to. Despite its complex subject matter, the story is told in a way that is both accessible and engaging, and the tragedy it describes makes most readers reconsider their own attitudes. Therefore, “A Rose for Emily” is a classic that deserves to be read and appreciated by generations to come.
Reference
Faulkner, W. (1930). A rose for Emily. Gothic Digital Series.
