William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” is one of the classical short stories in the realm of literature. It was his first short story to be published in a national magazine in 1930 (Padgett). It was next published in a collection These 13 in 1931 and went on to become one of the most anthologized American short stories. The story has a complex plot with cunning drivers of the story line. This feature is a staple element of Faulkner’s stories. Given this, there are endless possibilities for creative interpretations. Thus, this composition will explore the theme of the story and use literary elements to support such claim. Faulkner does an excellent job displaying the theme of tradition versus change through the setting, and characterization of
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It is in the initial stage where the Faulkner introduces Emily with a noticeable emergence (about). The entire town attends her funeral which his hosted at a cemetery where confederate and Union soldiers lay. This analogizes that her laying to rest is the closure of an old era (era of slavery laws and non-industrial ways of life that dominated the south before civil war) that should have transitioned long ago. As Miss Emily is introduced Faulkner about her character; then as the story progresses, the thought-process of Emily. With each step, the story becomes clear as to why it took so long for the Jefferson town to make the full transition: respect for a traditionalist lady that refused to accept reality. For example, “When the next generation, with its more modern ideas became mayors, the free [tax] arrangement with Colonel Sartoris created some dissatisfaction” (page 516). The new mayors mailed Emily her tax notice, but she still believed her tax exemption still existed, just as she thought the era of old was still present. Despite getting multiple invites form the sheriff, and even a personal carriage she refuses to obey the law. Colonel Sartoris who died over ten years ago, was being used as a
It is in the initial stage where the Faulkner introduces Emily with a noticeable emergence (about). The entire town attends her funeral which his hosted at a cemetery where confederate and Union soldiers lay. This analogizes that her laying to rest is the closure of an old era (era of slavery laws and non-industrial ways of life that dominated the south before civil war) that should have transitioned long ago. As Miss Emily is introduced Faulkner about her character; then as the story progresses, the thought-process of Emily. With each step, the story becomes clear as to why it took so long for the Jefferson town to make the full transition: respect for a traditionalist lady that refused to accept reality. For example, “When the next generation, with its more modern ideas became mayors, the free [tax] arrangement with Colonel Sartoris created some dissatisfaction” (page 516). The new mayors mailed Emily her tax notice, but she still believed her tax exemption still existed, just as she thought the era of old was still present. Despite getting multiple invites form the sheriff, and even a personal carriage she refuses to obey the law. Colonel Sartoris who died over ten years ago, was being used as a