María Fernanda Hermosillo Arrieta EN 278: American Literature: 1914 to Present Dr. Hendryx February 28 2023 Essay 1 This essay will compare two different works covered in this class so far, which are “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner—representing Southern Gothic stories—and “The End of Something” by Ernest Hemingway. Although both works contained modernist traits which will be expanded upon later on, the themes covered are vastly different. Staying true to the characteristics of Southern gothic stories, Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” contains themes of death and murder, along with a sense of alienation—which can be observed between both Miss Emily and the rest of town, as well as between the characters and the reader. Having a third person …show more content…
As the short story advances, the reader comprehends that the title is not only a reference to the decline of the Mill in Horton’s Bay but it foreshadows the decline in the relationship between Nick and Marjorie, ultimately leading to their breakup. These parallels are key to understanding how both Marjorie and Nick not only have differing views of their relationship but of the importance of the Mill for the town. These different points of view can be interpreted while Marjorie and Nick pass by the old building, which Marjorie romanticizes, as she mentions it “seems more like a castle” (Hemingway 2), to which Nick does not reply. Given the ambiguity of the text—and the iceberg theory created by Hemingway himself—one may interpret this conversation as Marjorie romanticizing her time next to Nick—who she deems as a loving partner—while to Nick himself it holds no sentimental or important value. Just like their relationship, the Mill may represent nothing more than something that has run its course and is now a ruin that must be left behind. Furthermore, one can believe that Nick is disappointed in both the Mill and his relationship with Marjorie, as he can barely remember the first, and finds the second as “not fun any more. Not any of it” (Hemingway 6). While this change in the dynamic causes a disillusionment in Marjorie—who asks Nick if “isn’t love any fun?” (Hemingway 6)—she moves forward, which exemplifies how Hemingway explores the theme of acceptance. In the same way that Horton Bay’s population had to move forward with the closing of the Mill, Marjorie had to move forward with the end of her relationship by physically removing herself from the setting and taking the boat or taking her vehicle toward her independence. By rowing away from Nick, Marjorie can regain some control and move on with her