Question

Faulkner lived, "as one critic put it, "with one foot deep in the traditions of the Old South and the other poised for the possibilities of a modern era." What are some of the indications that this story was written in another time? Citing evidence, describe how Faulkner’s story reflects an American society different from our own

Answer 1

Answer:

In A Rose for Emily, William Faulkner presents the Old South American Society traditions contrasting with the new generational traditions of our modern society.

Explanation:

In A Rose for Emily, William Faulkner tells the story of Miss Emily who through the orders of Colonel Sartoris in exempted from paying any taxes. But that was in the past, with Miss Emily representing the southern tradition. Her father and then the colonel taking care of her shows the tradition of men taking care of the women. As the author puts it, "Miss Emily had been a tradition, a duty, and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation upon the town, dating from that day in 1894 ".

But later on, when the "older" people had died and the "next generation, with its more modern ideas, became mayors and aldermen, this arrangement created some little dissatisfaction". This new generational growth is the "modern era", a different sort opposed to how the traditional Old South ways are no longer observed. Men and women alike are capable of taking care of themselves.

Thus, through the character of Miss Emily Grierson, Faulkner presents the "old" American society while contrasting it with the new generation that represent our own modern society.