Setting Analysis of the Story a Rose for Emily Essay Example

honor and reputation; however, criticism is directed towards old men in Confederate uniforms who gathered there. Taking place at Emily's house which no one had entered except her servant for over ten years, Faulkner skillfully portrays the struggle to maintain tradition amidst pervasive and radical change.

Jefferson is at a turning point, welcoming a contemporary, more business-oriented future while being still situated on the brink of the past. This is evident in various aspects, ranging from the dilapidated beauty of the Grierson home to the graveyard in town where unnamed soldiers from the Civil War have been interred. As a living tribute to history, Jefferson embodies the customs that individuals want to uphold and reverence. Emily's house, situated in a formerly stylish and high-end neighborhood, stands as the sole remaining symbol of the magnificence of a bygone era (Shmoop University, Inc., 2012).

Emily’s house, just like Emily herself, serves as a testament and the sole remaining symbol of a declining era of Southern aristocracy (Larinde). The exterior of the spacious and square-framed residence is adorned with extravagance (182). The characteristic features of cupolas, spires, and scrolled balconies are representative of a luxurious architectural style that gained popularity during the 1870s (SparkNotes Editors). In certain aspects, the house reflects Emily's personality: it proudly exposes its "persistent and flirtatious deterioration" to the townspeople (Larinde).

In my opinion, this text illustrates the difficulty of preserving traditions in a society that is constantly evolving. As society and its surroundings change, certain elements, such as cotton wagons and gasoline pumps, become out of place. The values of the old south no longer seem to fit in a transforming society. Understanding the setting and

social context of the time period is vital for comprehending Emily's character. Descriptions provide a clear image of people's thoughts and how the townspeople perceived their societal roles.

Read and download essays "
William Faulkners A Rose for Emily Setting Analysis.pdf" While showcasing the old social order of that time period, the story also depicts its gradual demise. The townspeople likely struggled to adapt to the death of the old social order but recognized the necessity of moving on instead of clinging to outdated customs. Both the characters and the setting establish the story's tone and reflect the changes occurring. Despite Emily's resistance to change, she still yearned for companionship following her father's passing. Having been under her father's control her entire life, she now felt the need to assert control herself.

Despite representing modernity and industrialization, Homer was a source of companionship for Emily. He introduced innovation to the fast-changing world of the Southern town. However, Emily's macabre bridal chamber is a drastic attempt to halt time and impede progress, but at the cost of human lives (SparkNotes Editors). Additionally, Emily's house symbolizes alienation, mental illness, and death (Larinde).

Emily preserves the man she would not allow to leave her in the sealed upstairs bedroom, creating a macabre trophy room of the past. Despite life moving on around her, Emily remains firmly rooted in a subjective realm of time. (Shmoop University, Inc., 2012; SparkNotes Editors).

Reference

• Page eNotes. com, Inc.. (2012). A Rose for Emily: Author Biography. Retrieved from http://www. enotes. com/rose-emily/author-biography Faulkner, William.
• "A Rose for Emily."

"Literature for Composition. 4th edition. Edited by Sylvan Barnet, et al. New York: HarperCollins, 1996."

177-183. SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on A Rose for Emily.”

SparkNotes.com.

SparkNotes LLC. 2007. Web. 16 Jan. 2012.

The source of the information is Shmoop University, Inc. (2012). The article titled "A Rose for Emily" can be retrieved from http://www.shmoop.com/a-rose-for-emily/literary-devices.

html Larinde, Toyin. "Biography of William Faulkner."

"21 Sept. 1997. The News & Observer. 11 Feb. 2000 p1-8."