Suggested Essay Topics
Section I
1. In the first section of “A Rose for Emily,” Faulkner sets a particular tone.
How would you describe that tone, and what are some of the techniques he uses
to do it? How does his word choice, for instance, affect the tone? And how does
the tone impact your reading of the story?
2. The date of Miss Emily’s death and the state or region in which the story is set are ever mentioned. However, Faulkner provides several hints in Section I for both the time and the setting of the story. Given what you have read so far, what is your best estimate of when this story takes place, and what region of the country is Jefferson located? Give reasons for your answers.
Section II
1. Two separate and unrelated issues of heredity/inheritance are raised in
Section II. What are they, and what role do they play in the town’s perception
of Miss Emily?
2. It becomes clear in Section II that Miss Emily may be suffering from some form of mental illness or psychological disorder. Do you think Miss Emily is mentally ill or psychologically disturbed? Why or why not?
Section III
1. Faulkner describes how boys would follow Homer Barron around town in order
“to hear him cuss the niggers, and the niggers singing tin time to the rise and
fall of picks.” Do you consider Faulkner’s use of the racial epithet “nigger,”
as opposed to the terms “Negro” or “Black,” racist? Why does Faulkner use that
term in this case? Why doesn’t he use that term when referring to Tobe, Emily’s
manservant?
2. The older ladies in the town claim that “even grief could not cause a real lady to forget her noblesse oblige.…” What do they mean by this?
Section IV
1. Faulkner makes a point of explaining how Miss Emily refused to let the post
office place numbers on the side of her house. What is the purpose of this
information? What role does this information play in the story?
2. The town seems to abhor the prospect of Miss Emily’s relationship to Homer Barron. Some members think it is a disgrace and a bad example to the young, while others are happy at her prospects of marriage. Explain why there are such differing opinions in the town.
Section V
1. The first paragraph of Section V describes how Tobe greets the ladies who
are calling on the house after Miss Emily’s death, and then immediately
disappears forever. Why do you think Tobe disappears? What effect do you think
Faulkner is trying to create by opening the section like this?
2. Faulkner spends a fair amount of time describing the “very old men” at the funeral. Why does Faulkner do this? Do you think he’s only describing the “very old men,” or are the “very old men” representative of a larger issue or theme that the story addresses?
Expert Q&A
What are some possible thesis statements for "A Rose for Emily"?
Possible thesis statements for "A Rose for Emily" include exploring Emily Grierson as a symbol of the Old South's decay, her fear of abandonment leading to macabre actions, or the necessity of letting go of outdated traditions. You might also examine Faulkner's use of symbolism, narrative structure, and themes such as love, decay, and isolation. Additionally, Emily's life can be compared to Miss Havisham's in "Great Expectations," highlighting her imprisonment by societal norms and the past.
What is a good thesis for the foreshadowing in "A Rose for Emily"?
A strong thesis on foreshadowing in "A Rose for Emily" could explore how William Faulkner uses this literary device to prepare readers for the story's grim conclusion. Examples include Emily's refusal to part with her father's corpse, the mysterious odor from her home, and the descriptions of her and her house. These elements hint at the discovery of Homer Barron's body and Emily's deteriorating mental state, enhancing the story's suspense and thematic depth.
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