Assignment
A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner just this story
The story must be read through the deeper metaphorical meaning of this story, namely by analyzing how each character fits into the Antebellum period, and post Antebellum period of The South, namely the before the Civil War and after. Trying to analyze this story as Emily being a mental case does not cut the historical content of this story and Faulkner's intent
Faulkner wriite an Allegory, which is a story that has 2 levels. The literal story is the surface level of the story, namely a Southern Belle meets and dates a Yankee from the North and things happen. However, Faulkner gives us a deeper symbolic meaning to this story It is a reference to the North going to reconstruct the South thinking they have conquered the South and they will succumb. Homer Baron is the Northern Yankee and Emily Gierson is the South.
A. What evidence do we see in this story that the South went though destruction of their mansions and property? You may want to note the description of her mansion.
B. What details indicate that Emily was once a Southerner who had her own way and was adamant to stay the same?
C. Toby is still in her house. What point is Faulkner making when the narrator speaks of Toby? This story is after the slaves fled to the North or left the homes of those who owned them as slaves. Toby is at Emily's home because he wanted to stay there and did not take off like other slave owners. Many house slaves did likewise as they felt safer than taking off with no guarantee for shelter or food. Some stayed as they felt a connection to protect the family.
D. How is Homer Baron a typical Yankee as portrayed by the narrator?
E. What is the deeper meaning of the description of the cemetery?
F. What is the Allegorical meaning of the chamber that was broken open? When you analyze the allegorical you will consider the symbolic reference of the North and South historical relationship after the civil War.