A Rose for Emily talks about the passing of time while telling the tragic story of Miss Emily's life. It gives a sneak peek into the way Small Town USA operated at the turn of the last century and still is run today. Since the beginning of time, people of small towns have been notorious for being in everyone else's business. The people of small towns never forget where someone came from, even if someone has done something in adulthood to change their lives, people in small towns never forget how the person grew up. People in small towns also want to know who is dating who, so when the story talks about weather or not Miss Emily and Homer Barron are dating (page 209) and weather or not he is good enough for her and how she needs to remember noblesse oblige (the obligation of those of high birth or rank to behave honorably), that still goes on today.
On page 210 in the book the second paragraph talks about how the town is guessing what is going on in her life. When she started seeing Homer, they thought that she would marry him. Then they think that she is going to kill herself. It is like the are putting together a story that they have to make up and fill in the blanks just for something to talk about. I hear people doing this all of the time in my small town. If a man and a woman are seen having a meal together, they must be dating, if a man gives woman a ride somewhere and they are seen by someone else, it is assumed that they are having an affair. These assumptions happen all of the time in present day, and this story is filled with them too.
The other thing that happens in the story that happens currently is the way a town can change from generation to generation depending on who is in office. In my town 20 years ago you could buy anything, have entertainment (bowling, movies, arcade). Then we got people on our city council who would not let new business in so those business went to towns near by. Slowly our town started to die, we can't buy clothes or shoes in town anymore, the bowling alley is no longer, etc. Now we have a new city council and MNDOT moved highway 10 over a block this fall. Now we have 3 new stores opening this spring, we have hotels in the works, and it looks like our town is on the up swing again. In the story it talks about (on page 206) the "next generation" and their "modern ideas". They do not go into details on the town itself, but you get the feeling that Miss Emily's taxes aren't the only thing changing in the town.
The whole time I was reading this story, I could picture people in my town, and the rumors that go around. Knowing everyone in your small town can be a blessing and a curse, but I wouldn't change the fact the when I walk into my grocery store the people smile and call me by name for anything in the world.
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3 comments:
I think you're right about the town changing and Emily not wanting to change with them. I think that the description of the house symbolizes this. Paragraph two on pg. 206 talks about how the house used to be big and beautiful, but is now old, run down, and the only one left standing. "only Emily's house was left, lifting its stubborn and coquettish decay above the cotton wagons and the gasoline pumps..." I think the Old South died right along with Emily Grierson.
Yeah I totally agree!
OMG I know my abc's
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