An Integral Component of A Rose for Emily - Literature review Example

Essay Faulkner’s work d ‘A Rose for Emily’ is a literary piece which has been explored, appreciated and critiqued upon for the profound assessment of how an individual’s refusal to accept transition and change which in fact is the only constant in life can weave their future and impact their choices thereby, leading a person towards a life which they perhaps never wanted or never imagined having. Despite of possessing a strong recurrent theme that remains throughout the literary work and gradually unfolds with the progression of the narrative, Faulkner’s work can be ascribed to as having greater meaning and connotations which surpass the primary thematic elements of the story. As noted by Werlock (2009), the facet which is linked with the integration of gender roles and feminist studies in ‘A Rose for Emily’ is an integral component of the story because it is characterized by the presence of multidimensionality and an array of interpretations which primarily describe a traditional perspective regarding the true meaning of Emily’s fate in stark comparison to a viewpoint that is held by feminist writers on the same issue. In essence, the demise of Emily and the subsequent revelation of her circumstances and her house is a critical moment in Faulkner’s work. As the anticipation towards learning further about the protagonist’s life grows more for the reader as much as it escalates for the townsfolk, Werlock (2009) understands that the revelation possesses a deeper meaning for aiding the comprehension of the work’s motifs and thematic elements that are closely associated with the usage of gender roles and gender identities as crucial drivers of the plot. In this case a reader who possesses a conventional perspective regarding Emily’s fate would suggest that Faulkner’s motivation for developing the narrative was to chiefly identify and outline the declining fortune of the aristocracy as it surrenders in the south and reaches its downfall (Werlock, 2009). However, for scholars like Werlock (2009) Emily’s life and death is the depiction of how a patriarchal setup where a woman’s existence is governed first by her father and later by her lover can lead her towards devastation. Under such circumstances women are often left with no choice but to fight back and retain the identity which they have loss to patriarchy, thus, Emily’s actions, choices and decisions in this regard can be seen in a new light by applying this perspective to acknowledge her ultimate struggle for rising beyond the shadows of her father and her lover so as to accept her true self and regain her identity (Werlock, 2009). Gwin’s (1990) comprehension of Emily’s defiance of patriarchal regulations and boundaries is comparable to that of Werlock (2009) as the author notes that her actions act as repressors against the commandments of patriarchy. Despite of the interpretations which have been presented by feminist thinkers and writers to understand the metaphorical representations behind the life and death of Emily, Faulkner’s portrayal of gender roles in the text remains highly controversial and even biased. However, Duvall (1990) argues that the traditional notions on Faulkner’s apparent misogyny can be in fact denied through the author’s development of Emily’s character. Duvall (1990) asserts that it is important to identify that because of Emily’s categorization as a woman, she is often misconstrued as docile, compliant and unassuming. Hence, her status as a woman grants her with nothing more than being an audience to what the men around her are entitled to do simply because of their ‘masculinity’. Yet the most intriguing and even shocking element of Emily’s actions is her command over Homer Barron’s life and her ultimate decision to end it. Commenting on the significance of Homer Barron’s murder, Duvell (1990, p. 128) states that his murder defines Emily as an “iconoclast” who embodies a strong critique of the dynamics of gender relations in society which do not grant women with an identity of their own, unless they have been claimed by someone under the institution of marriage. The significance of the relationship which is shared by Homer Barron and Emily is a fundamental consideration for scholars because Faulkner’s representations of the gender roles within the relationship are so complex and multifaceted in comparison with the literary works released during the same epoch. Tyson (2006) asserts that the analysis of Homer and Emily’s relationship can either be explored on the surface level or understood on an entirely symbolic basis. On the outside Homer and Emily’s representation as a couple is straightforward – they are a heterosexual couple where Homer is the man and Emily is the woman. However, Tyson (2006, p. 337) states that “…the text constructs Emily’s gender as a vacillation between the feminine and the masculine”. Henceforth, the centre of the couple’s relationship is rooted towards Emily because power and defiance are traits which are possessed by her. While Faulkner’s intentions towards the characterization of Emily are open to debate and analysis, the narration of the plot in ‘A Rose for Emily’ is marked by several instances where the author clearly champions traditional gender roles and promotes a view where women are essentially portrayed as being inferior to men. For example, Faulkner’s explanation of the men’s and women’s motive for attending Emily’s funeral possess a stark contrast. The author’s reflection in this case echoes that the men will to be a part of the deceased’s funeral because they wish to honor her in some way before her final journey while, the women solely intend to join the memorial service to quench their sheer curiosity regarding the interior of Miss Emily’s house. Faulkner’s portrayal of women in this manner essentially berates them for their inferior minds and lesser intellect as he deems them incapable of having the sense to honor someone who has passed away in favor of pursuing their own thirst for hearsay and scandal. Another significant depiction of gender roles in Faulkner’s work with regard to the life of the protagonist is that they are characterized by a constant transition and this change can be primarily attributed to the man in her life at the time. During her father’s life, Emily’s status, appearance and her upper social class remain a point of assessment and importance in the text as she is constantly identified as somebody who is greater than others only because she was born into the southern aristocracy. This leads the townsfolk to develop critical notions regarding Emily primarily because of her domineering father and his belief that his daughter’s upper status has rendered as every possible suitor in the town to be useless and not worthy of marrying his daughter. Even though, Emily gives into accepting this elevated opinion of herself the fact remains that this picture of herself is not something which she has developed on her own as her father is entirely responsible for it. This view asserts that the text links the creation of a women’s identity as being the responsibility of the man in her life regardless of whether this identity is something which the woman is actively and happily willing to accept. However, the effectiveness of Faulkner’s text in the depiction of gender related notions lies in the fact that he finally allows Emily to take charge albeit in an unconventional and gruesome manner. For years, Emily’s relationship with Homer remains undefined and without the tag of marriage because the man chooses to do so. However, in the end Emily acts in a manner which leaves the reader mystified. The defiance in Emily’s character is introduced in the most apt manner by Faulkner and it is what defines the analysis of gender, gender studies and gender roles in ‘A Rose for Emily’. As the townsfolk enter into Emily’s house only to find the decomposing body of Homer rested on the bed, the protagonist’s actions and intentions are unveiled. Just like she refused to hand over her father’s body to the authorities, Emily refused to give up on Homer in the same manner. The significance of her action is rooted in the fact that Emily achieves satisfaction in not letting go of the men who tormented or dominated her even when their time has come, by lying rested next to Homer’s decomposing corpse Emily exercises her dominance and authority over him just as she had been unable to do so when she spent her years as a spinster under her father’s roof. Even though gender is not the core or primary thematic element of Faulkner’s work and shares an association with the portrayal of other aspects including social class in ‘A Rose for Emily’ it remains a critical underlying factor in the assessment of Emily’s story and her actions. The fact that Faulkner has chosen to begin his story where Emily’s life has ended suggests that the author intended for the reader to trace back the protagonist’s demise with her circumstances and actions. Despite of the conventional notions regarding Faulkner’s misogynistic tendencies ‘A Rose for Emily’ is a work which so rich and complex that it can be interpreted in multiple ways to ascertain the truth behind the depiction of gender in Faulkner’s body of work. References Duvall, J. N. (1990). Faulkners marginal couple: invisible, outlaw, and unspeakable communities. University of Texas Press. Gwin, M. C. (1990). The feminine and faulkner: Reading (beyond) sexual difference. University of Tennessee Press. Tyson, L. (2006). Critical theory today: A user-friendly guide. Taylor & Francis. Werlock, A. H. (Ed.). (2009). Companion to Literature: Facts on File Companion to the American Short Story. Infobase Publishing. Read More