Themes: The Old South
The Old South as it was in the antebellum era looms large in this story through the person of Emily, who represents a “monument” to the way things used to be. In many ways, Emily behaved throughout her life as if nothing had changed. She kept a Black servant in her house, who was her only confidant. Her house, once “select” and “white,” had decayed over the years and become soiled, just as the pre-war aristocracy had fallen as a result of a changing society. At the time of her death, Emily’s home is the only one that remains of the “august” group who once held power in the town.
Emily, however, did not accept the shifts taking place, and the town indulged her to a considerable degree. They considered her to be a “tradition” and an “obligation.” When Emily declared to the committee that she had “no taxes in Jefferson,” she explicitly suggested that the current ruling authority was only an imagined authority and that perhaps the current sheriff indeed “consider[ed] himself” to be so. She told the men to refer to Colonel Sartoris, who had, by that time, been dead for almost a decade. She was willfully living in the past, but nobody dared to correct her. In many ways, it was as if the town had collectively decided to allow the Old South to live in Jefferson, in the form of Emily, until Emily passed away naturally and this part of their history died with her.
Expert Q&A
Explain the phrase "lifting its stubborn and coquettish decay above the cotton wagons and the gasoline pumps an eye sore among eyesores" in "A Rose for Emily".
The phrase "lifting its stubborn and coquettish decay above the cotton wagons and the gasoline pumps an eye sore among eyesores" describes Miss Emily's house as physically deteriorated and symbolically represents Miss Emily's declining importance in the town. The once grand mansion, like her family’s former prestige, has decayed over time, yet stubbornly maintains a facade of former glory despite being an eyesore.
In "A Rose for Emily," who are the "august names" Faulkner refers to?
In "A Rose for Emily," the "august names" refer to the distinguished and respected families of the Old South, such as the Griersons, who lost their wealth and status after the Civil War. Faulkner uses this term to highlight the decline of these once-prestigious plantation-owning families and Confederate soldiers buried in the same cemetery as Emily.
What does the narrator's mention of the law "No Negro woman should appear on the streets without an apron" in "A Rose for Emily" reveal about Colonel Sartoris and the narrator?
The narrator's mention of the law requiring Negro women to wear aprons highlights the institutional racism of the time and reveals Colonel Sartoris as a figure who enforced such oppressive norms. This law underscores the social hierarchy and the town's moral code established by Sartoris, which shaped Emily's world. The narrator, representing the town, uses this detail to illustrate the entrenched Southern traditions and the societal dynamics affecting Emily's life and interactions.
What does the narrator imply in part IV by stating the cousins were "even more Grierson than Miss Emily had ever been"?
The narrator implies that the cousins were "even more Grierson than Miss Emily had ever been" to highlight their adherence to the old Southern aristocratic values more than Emily herself. The townspeople disliked the cousins for their arrogance and were pleased by their failure to prevent Emily's relationship with Homer Barron. This reflects the tension between the Old South's aristocracy and the evolving values of the New South, symbolizing a class struggle within the community.
How do the actions and descriptions of Homer Barron and Emily Grierson support the theme of postbellum Southerners resisting modernization?
Homer Barron and Emily Grierson's actions and descriptions highlight the theme of postbellum Southerners resisting modernization. Homer, a Northerner and laborer, is viewed with suspicion and disdain by Southern society due to his background and social status. Emily embodies the old Southern aristocracy, and the townspeople's efforts to control her reflect a desire to preserve traditional values. This mistrust of Homer symbolizes broader Southern resistance to Northern influence and change.
The treatment of Emily by the townspeople and her family in "A Rose for Emily."
In "A Rose for Emily," Emily is treated with a mix of respect and pity by the townspeople, who see her as a reclusive figure from a bygone era. Her family, particularly her father, is overprotective and controlling, preventing her from forming meaningful relationships. This isolation leads to her tragic loneliness and eccentric behavior.
Themes of resistance to change in "A Rose for Emily."
The theme of resistance to change in "A Rose for Emily" is evident through Emily Grierson's refusal to accept the passage of time and modernity. She clings to the past, symbolized by her decaying house and her outdated behaviors, ultimately leading to her isolation and tragic end.
Townspeople's Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Miss Emily
In William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily," the townspeople of Jefferson have mixed perceptions of Miss Emily Grierson. Initially, they are intrigued and somewhat supportive of her relationship with Homer Barron, a Northern laborer, but later view it as improper due to her aristocratic Southern background. Despite their curiosity and pity towards Emily's reclusive life, they show deference to her as a relic of the Old South, excusing her from taxes and ignoring ominous signs like the foul smell from her home. The title's "rose" symbolizes both a tribute to Emily and the ironic distance with which the town regards her, ultimately allowing her to escape scrutiny for Homer’s murder.
Homer Barron's symbolism, importance of his Yankee background, and reasons for visiting the town in "A Rose for Emily"
Homer Barron symbolizes the North and modernity encroaching on Southern traditions. His Yankee background highlights the cultural clash between North and South post-Civil War. He visits the town as a construction foreman, bringing change and representing new societal norms, which contrasts sharply with Emily's outdated, Old South values.
The townspeople's reaction to Emily's relationship with Homer
The townspeople react with a mix of curiosity and disapproval to Emily's relationship with Homer. They gossip about the couple and speculate on the appropriateness and future of their relationship, reflecting the social norms and expectations of the time.
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