“The fact that I have moved my characters around in time successfully, at least in my own estimation, proves to me my theory that time is a fluid condition which has no ecistance exept in the momentary avatars of individual people.” William Faulkner. William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” is a very complex and coherent short story. The story is set after Civil War in the southern town Jefferson, a town clinging to the Old South’s values but adapting the eventual changes that the Reconstruction Era brings with it. The heroine Miss Emily Grierson is the last member of the old aristocratic Grierson family. When searching for “the” theme of the story, one is confronted with many possible solutions: the conflict between North and South, the conflict between the individual and the community, between men and women. No matter though, what the results are, one aspect cannot be ignored: it is the aspect of time, the conflict between the past and the present. There are many possibilities to approach this aspect. The tragedy that Faulkner describes involves the key issue of the passing of time and the related changes. I will show how the author makes it visible by exploring the significance of decay as a sign for passing time. Time itself suggests the presence of a past and a present. On this issue Faulkner presents two conflicting views within the story, which I will examine with a special interest on the view that Miss Emily inherits. In this paper I will also try to clarify the importance of the difference of the story line of events and the actual chronological order of the scenes of Miss Emily’s life. Before examining the story, I will give an overview of the life and work of William Faulkner, followed by a note on influences on his fiction and the significance of his short stories.
Table of Contents
- 1 INTRODUCTION
- 2 WILLIAM FAULKNER
- 2.1 Chronology of William Faulkner's Life and Works
- 2.2 Influences on Faulkner's Fiction
- 2.3 Faulkner and Short Stories
- 3 A ROSE FOR EMILY
- 3.1 The Story Line of Events
- 3.2 The Chronological Line of Events
- 3.3 Decay as a Symbol of the Passage of Time
- 3.4 Faulkner's Two Conflicting Views of Time
- 3.5 Emily's Life in the Past
- 4 CONCLUSION
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the complex interplay of time in William Faulkner's short story "A Rose for Emily." The objective is to analyze how Faulkner utilizes temporal manipulation to explore themes of societal change, individual resistance to change, and the decay of the Old South. This is achieved by exploring the story's narrative structure, contrasting the storyline with the chronological order of events, and examining the symbolic use of decay.
- The conflict between the past and the present in post-Civil War South.
- The portrayal of decay as a symbol for the passage of time and societal change.
- The juxtaposition of linear and non-linear timelines in shaping the narrative.
- The individual's resistance to the inevitable march of time.
- The exploration of conflicting views of time within the story itself.
Chapter Summaries
1 INTRODUCTION: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of time in Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily." It highlights the story's complexity and introduces the central theme of the conflict between past and present, specifically within the context of the post-Civil War South. The chapter also introduces Faulkner's own views on time as a fluid condition, which frames the subsequent analysis. The author outlines the paper's approach, focusing on the significance of decay and the contrasting timelines within the story.
2 WILLIAM FAULKNER: This chapter provides biographical context for understanding Faulkner's work, offering a chronology of his life and literary output. It touches upon his influences and his particular focus on short stories as a medium. This section serves as background information, crucial to contextualizing the nuances and intricacies present in "A Rose for Emily," establishing a strong foundation to understand the author’s worldview and its influence on the story's themes.
3 A ROSE FOR EMILY: This chapter delves into a detailed analysis of "A Rose for Emily," examining its multiple facets. It specifically explores the story's narrative structure, differentiating between the storyline and the chronological sequence of events in Emily's life. The chapter analyzes the symbolic use of decay, linking it to the passage of time and the demise of the Old South. It further examines Faulkner's contrasting views of time within the narrative, one that is linear and progresses steadily, and another that remains static, resistant to the pressures of change, thereby demonstrating Emily's struggle.
Keywords
William Faulkner, A Rose for Emily, time, decay, Old South, post-Civil War, narrative structure, chronology, symbolism, past versus present, societal change, individual resistance.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Time in William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily"
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the complex interplay of time in William Faulkner's short story "A Rose for Emily." It examines how Faulkner uses temporal manipulation to explore themes of societal change, individual resistance to change, and the decay of the Old South.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the conflict between the past and the present in the post-Civil War South; the portrayal of decay as a symbol for the passage of time and societal change; the juxtaposition of linear and non-linear timelines in shaping the narrative; the individual's resistance to the inevitable march of time; and the exploration of conflicting views of time within the story itself.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into four chapters: An introduction setting the context and outlining the approach; a chapter on William Faulkner’s life and works to provide biographical context; a detailed analysis of "A Rose for Emily," focusing on its narrative structure, symbolism, and contrasting timelines; and a conclusion.
How does the paper analyze "A Rose for Emily"?
The analysis of "A Rose for Emily" differentiates between the storyline and the chronological order of events. It examines the symbolic use of decay to represent the passage of time and the decline of the Old South. It also contrasts Faulkner's portrayal of linear and non-linear time within the narrative, highlighting Emily's resistance to change.
What is the significance of the biographical information on William Faulkner?
The chapter on William Faulkner provides crucial biographical context, including a chronology of his life and works and discussion of his influences. This background information helps to understand the nuances and complexities of "A Rose for Emily" and the author's worldview.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include William Faulkner, A Rose for Emily, time, decay, Old South, post-Civil War, narrative structure, chronology, symbolism, past versus present, societal change, and individual resistance.
What is the overall objective of the paper?
The objective is to analyze how Faulkner's manipulation of time in "A Rose for Emily" reveals deeper thematic concerns about societal shifts, individual responses to change, and the symbolic decay of a specific era.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Dipl. HDL Kerstin Gehmlich (Autor:in), 2003, The Aspect of Time in William Faulkner´s Short Story A ROSE FOR EMILY, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/67567
