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A Rose For Emily Tradition And Change

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William Faulkner’s short story “A Rose for Emily” shows the relationship between Mrs. Emily Grierson and the people of the town in which she resides. The southern Gothic novel highlights the prejudice that existed in the South, following the Civil War. Overall, the story illustrates how much the South struggled to adapt to the changes that have been implemented upon it. Race relations, the economic status and small town values that exemplify the southern atmosphere of the time are prevalent throughout “A Rose for Emily.” Faulkner communicates the theme of tradition and change successively through point of view and symbolism, which can all be explored through a historical lens. Knowing the historical context in any piece of literature is instrumental in understanding the characters actions and motivations and can include political, social, economic and religious aspects. The events of “A Rose for Emily” take place in the South …show more content…

The unnamed narrator speaks for the town as a whole by using terms like “our” and “we.” Early on in the story, the way Miss Grierson is viewed by the town is displayed through this statement, “Alive, Miss Emily had been a tradition, a duty, and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation upon the town, dating from the day in 1894 when Colonel Sartoris…remitted her taxes” (Faulkner 299). Because Emily’s wealth had diminished as a result of the Civil War, the town felt that it was their responsibility to take on her financial burdens inconspicuously. The townspeople’s attitudes towards Emily are reflective of the time in which the story is written, which is displayed by the word choice of the narrator. Southern gentlemen felt a need to provide for women, because that was tradition, and this is shown through Colonel Satoris overlooking her

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