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This text discusses various aspects related to William Faulkner and his story "A Rose for Emily". It explores the definition of gothic fiction and its development in modern times. The focus then shifts to the gothic characteristics present in "A Rose for Emily". The main topic revolves around murder, death, violence, and necrophilia, which are considered elements of gothic literature. Additionally, the character of Emily is described as stubborn, eccentric, and mysterious, embodying the gothic form. The description of the environment also adopts the typical gothic style.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the creative use of gothic elements in A Rose for Emily. The flashback in the story creates a mysterious atmosphere, and the author, William Faulkner, incorporates gothic characteristics in various aspects such as the topic, hero, environment, and plot. However, Faulkner also brings freshness, symbolism, and his own emotions to enhance the story. The combination of the gothic form with realistic content in A Rose for Emily is analyzed and emphasized.
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A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner is a short story that combines gothic form and realistic content, creating a superior piece of literature compared to traditional "Black Romanticism" and "Realism" in the Victoria Age. William Faulkner, a distinguished American writer, was born in the South and often incorporated southern people, backgrounds, and cases into his works.
Faulkner's arrival brought forth the literary glories of "the South Renaissance", a period once known as "the literary desert" (Yu Jianhua, 2004: 460). Faulkner's work has captivated many professors and critics, making him a standout among American writers.
His short story, A Rose for Emily, has been extensively analyzed and explored by various writers. However, this essay aims to examine Faulkner's creative intention in the gothic style, which has greatly influenced European and American literature. The goal is to uncover fresh insights and provoke contemplation in readers.
The term "gothic fiction" originally derived from the name of a Germanic tribe known as the Goths, who were known for their savage and uncivilized nature. They resided in northern Europe and later invaded the Roman Empire from the 3rd to the 5th century AD, thereby establishing various kingdoms in Italy, Spain, southern France, and northern Africa. A thousand years later, after the decline of the Roman Empire, Italian Vasari (1511–1574) used the term "gothic" to describe a style of architecture from the medieval period which featured tall sharp-pointed vaulted roofs or towers, narrow windows, colorful glass, dimly lit houses, and somber staircases.
"(Xiao Minghan, 2001: 9) During the eighteenth century to nineteenth century, the so-called "Gothic Revival" emerged in architecture and literature. This revival was characterized by a gloomy and depressed tone reminiscent of the Middle Ages. At the same time, there were literary works that adopted a similar tone, known as "Gothic fiction." One notable example is Horace Walpole's "The Castle of Otranto," which served as an early model for classic gothic fiction. The origins of "Gothic fiction" can be linked not only to the "Gothic feeling" found in English cemetery poetry, but also to Edmund Burke's (1729-1797) aesthetic standard known as the "Gothic style."
C. In modern times, the development of gothic fiction became prevalent and spread rapidly from England to Europe and the U.S. in the eighteenth century. This style had a significant impact on American literature to some extent. Charles Brown (1771--1810), the renowned American representative in this genre, vividly depicted the terrified psychology of his protagonist in a gloomy and mysterious setting.
II. The gothic elements in A Rose for Emily are evident. Faulkner resided in the South for his entire life, and the southern region greatly influenced and molded his character.
"The unfortunate field is closely related to his habit, thinking way, and life attitude" (Jay Parinier, 1989:2031). As the representative of American traditional thinking, he deeply internalized "the most important and unconscious content." This is why he expressed his love for his hometown in an unusual manner by exposing the faults and gloomy aspects of the South. Perhaps the gothic characteristic in A Rose for Emily is the most effective way for him to convey his emotion. A.
The main topic revolves around murder, death, violence, and necrophilia, which are elements of the “gothic fiction” genre. Initially, the topic focuses on these themes, particularly murder, death, violence, and necrophilia. It vividly portrays the horrifying story of a spinster named Emily, the last surviving member of the Grierson family. Despite initially being described as a slender and delicate lady, her appearance deteriorates as she enters her thirties - "She looks bloated, like a body long submerged in motionless water, and of that pallid hue" (para6). Ultimately, she passes away at the age of 74. Throughout her life, Miss Emily had served as a tradition, a responsibility, and a concern for the town; a continuous obligation passed down through generations.
"( para3) Emily's death also signifies the demise of all the pride and dignity that once characterized her as a gentle lady. In fact, even the premayor Colonel Sartoris, who ostensibly wants to help her, only uses excuses to avoid causing her harm. Following her father's passing and the disappearance of her fiance, Emily has become isolated from the outside world for almost forty years. "Daily, monthly, yearly we observed the Negro aging and becoming more hunched over as he came in and out with his market basket." (para33) Occasionally, people would catch a glimpse of her through the window, only to perceive her as "resembling a carved idol's torso residing within a niche."
(para33) At the end of her funeral, it is revealed to the public that Homer's skeleton is discovered in a locked room. It becomes clear that the kind-hearted Emily has been deliberately performing and concealing a murder. Critics argue that Emily takes revenge by poisoning the man from the north after he rejects her proposal of marriage. However, another perspective suggests that Emily is too emotionally empty to console herself. In her desperation for companionship, she is left with no option but to kill him - believing that this will enable her to be with him forever. Unfortunately, this pursuit only leads to eternal "loss". The moment she takes his life, her spirit dies alongside him.
The grief, desolation, and sadness profoundly affect her inner heart forever. Emily cannot tolerate the fact that a woman from the south is pursuing a man from the north but is unsuccessful. This situation perfectly satirizes the historical context of that time. Despite this, she still manages to maintain her pride, even when people believed she had fallen. (para21) In summary, the theme of A Rose for Emily revolves around the "Gothic topic," which explores themes of murder and death. B. Emily's character is characterized by stubbornness, eccentricity, and mystery, all of which are intertwined with the "Gothic form." Emily's character is intertwined with the "Gothic form."
She is characterized as stubborn, eccentric, and mysterious, having been isolated from the outside world for forty years following her father's death and the disappearance of Homer. Throughout the year, her door remains closed to all visitors as she adamantly refuses any interaction. In a truly unrealistic manner, she refuses to dispose of her father's body and denies his death, stating, "She told them that her father was not dead." (para15) Going against the law, she stubbornly refuses to pay taxes, repeatedly claiming, "I have no taxes in Jefferson." (para8) Furthermore, she insists that the officials seek clarification from Colonel Sartoris, who had previously waived her taxes.
It appears that she is unaware that Colonel Sartoris had passed away a decade ago. "It is possible to interpret her refusal to pay the taxes as a representation of her resistance to accepting the changed society, to some extent" (Zhu Zhenwu, 2003:34). She strives to maintain her superiority, dignity, and the impression of being a refined southern lady. Emily serves as a prime example of the decaying South. "The aftermath of the Civil War brought about corruption and decline in the Southern region, particularly evident in its economy and politics" (Zhang Kuiwu, 2002:74). However, this decline is not readily apparent in terms of morality and psychology.
The original Southern region had its own distinct economic structure, cultural style, way of life, and moral code, even its own language. These elements easily evoked a sense of nostalgia in Southerners, as they had solidified due to the South's failure in the Civil War (Yu Jianhua, 2004: 460). Consequently, the war resulted in a peculiar contradiction: the old South would "die" upon losing the war, yet it persevered more stubbornly than ever before. The South may have "died" in terms of society and economy, but it remains "alive" in its culture and mindset.
The passage depicts Emily as a pitiable character who remains trapped in the past, unable to confront reality. Faulkner skillfully portrays the complex and contradictory psychology of southerners through Emily, who serves as a symbol of the declining aristocracy in the South. According to critic Malcolm Cloy, the heavy pressures endured by southern people caused them to lose rationality and react mechanically (Yu Jianhua, 2004: 460). This occasionally led to uncontrollable violence and irrational behavior. Simultaneously, they clung tightly to the luxuries and glories of the past as a means of escaping reality, a notion that appears both unrealistic and ridiculous. Faulkner uses this depiction to criticize those southerners who continue to hold onto outdated mindsets despite living in a new era. This distorted psychology serves as the essential representation of the crumbling old South. Faulkner, however, offers a fresh perspective by closely examining and explaining these patterns of thought, ultimately sympathizing with the southerners' mindset and moral values. C.
The description of environment in A Rose for Emily adopts the typical "Gothic style" with elements such as the topic and character. Both the inside and outside of Emily's house are gothic, with the house itself being a unique wooden structure. While her parents were alive, the house had a noble style, featuring cupolas, spires, and scrolled balconies in the heavily lightsome style of the Seventies.
"(para2) Despite the passing of time, the house stubbornly maintains its outdated style and flirts with its decaying facade. "(para2) An incompatible atmosphere of antiquity permeates the space. Several years later, the representatives venture into Emily's residence for the first time. They step into "a dim hallway that leads into even deeper darkness through a staircase." (para5) Furthermore, there is "dust and neglect--a musty, damp odor"(para5) hanging in the air. The parlor is adorned with "heavy, leather-bound furniture." (para5) Faulkner paints a dim and enigmatic image for us.
The sight in Emily's base room shocked the townspeople. According to paragraph 39, the room had a creepy and death-like atmosphere, despite its appearance as a bridal chamber. In paragraph 40, it is mentioned that Homer's skeleton was found in an embrace-like position. Additionally, the second pillow on the same bed had an indentation that indicated someone had been resting their head on it. Paragraph 41 confirms that Emily had been sleeping with Homer's skeleton for forty years, as evidenced by her long strand of iron-gray hair. The air in the room had a sepulchral quality, causing extreme shock and terror.
Faulkner does not introduce the terror element in fiction; it is already inherent in the traditional style of gothic fiction. In A Rose for Emily, Faulkner not only employs this style, but he also amplifies certain aspects such as murder and violence. The use of flashback in the story contributes to its mysterious atmosphere. At the start, Emily passes away at the age of seventy-six. The entire town attends her funeral with varying motivations - the men hold a dignified reverence for a fallen monument while the women are curious about accessing her inner house.
Emily, a woman of intrigue, has captivated readers with her story. Once radiantly beautiful and slender, her father deterred any suitors who sought her hand. It was only after his passing that she found love with a Northerner. But their plans for marriage were thwarted, leaving Emily heartbroken and causing her to withdraw from society. Yet, the unexpected twist awaits. Emily's true nature emerges; cunning and devoid of moral constraints. In a shocking revelation, she secretly poisons her fiance and preserves his remains in her bed, sleeping beside him for four decades. Undoubtedly, this unexpected turn of events adds a clever and astonishing element to the narrative.
Despite the ending being somewhat unreasonable, it showcases Faulkner's creativity by employing the use of flashbacks to enhance the depth of the short story, which surpasses the typical narrative approach found in most fictional works. The story itself contains various signs and symbols that foreshadow such a conclusion. Although Emily is depicted as a merciless killer, it is important to delve deeper beyond her actions. During Emily's era, men held complete authority over women, suggesting that her father indirectly played a role in destroying her life to some extent.
She is compelled to kill her fiance in order to pursue her own happiness. Critics comment that in rational gothic fiction, the "villain--hero" is both a murderer and a victim. (Pu Ruoqian, 2001: 47) The true crime is not the "villain--hero" character, but rather the distorted humanity that is shaped by hierarchical rules and moral standards. III. Conclusion: All the gothic elements in A Rose for Emily effectively create a perfect gothic fiction. However, Faulkner does not simply imitate the gothic tradition; he employs a clever approach to tell a story set in his own time.
He has an affinity for the gothic style, which was the predominant literary style during the Victorian era. Perhaps it is because he believes that the gothic style aligns with the declining environment of the southern region. Additionally, he infuses the gothic style with realistic content and his own emotions. While Gothic style was previously referred to as "Black Romanticism," Faulkner merges it with realism. Moreover, Faulkner injects intensity and a breath of fresh air into the traditional format, elevating "A Rose for Emily" above both gothic fiction and the literary mainstream of the Victorian era.
The background of "A Rose for Emily" is set in the time period when Faulkner lived, which was a departure from the gothic tradition and contributed to the work's realistic portrayal. While the gothic style was not widely favored during Faulkner's era, "A Rose for Emily" delves into the true psychology of the southern people and embraces the irrational aspects of human emotions, thus expanding the realm of realism and its impact on humanity.
A Rose for Emily sets itself apart from other American fiction forms of the time. Faulkner greatly benefits from the gothic tradition, which he enhances, resulting in a superior work.
Exploring Gothic Elements in "A Rose for Emily". (2016, Sep 06). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/faulkners-religious-views-in-a-rose-for-emily-essay
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