*AP Homework- September 21-23*
Thursday,September 20, 2007
Hi Class!
Please take home your Diyanni books and read William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” which is found on pages 74-80. Post your answer to the “Question for Reflection” which can be found on page 80. Be sure to answer the entire question. You have until 9:00pm on Sunday September 23rd. No late entries will be accepted. I will not post any answers until sometime after 9:00pm on Sunday in order to maintain academic integrity.
I look forward to reading your answers!
Ms. Bush
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FIRST!! (I hope.) Anyways…
The narrator, or rather, the town, held varying views of Miss Emily. She was an aristocrat whose father was rich and from whom she inherited her house. The officials of the town, for the most part, viewed Miss Emily as a stubborn and rebellious resident, evident in the end of Part 1 wherein the city authorities insisted upon Miss Emily that there were no records of the previous mayor ever remitted Miss Emily’s taxes. Miss Emily held steadfast with her claim of, “I have no taxes in Jefferson,” and dismissed the men (75). The officials also viewed Miss Emily as a bother, a mischievous pet, as Part 2 depicts. The officials received complaints of Miss Emily’s house smelling bad and were wary of dealing with the problem head on. The rest of the town, for the most part, somewhat admired yet mostly pitied Miss Emily. They admired her for her social class, yet also viewed her as a pest for she “was a sort of hereditary obligation of the town” (74). The town began to pity Miss Emily when her father died. She insisted for three days that he was not dead then broke down. When Homer Barron came and Miss Emily had fallen head over heals for him, the town began to say, “Poor Emily,” for they expected that he would not stay (77). When Miss Emily died, the town grieved for her, the men claiming that they had courted her, and when they saw the iron-gray hair next to Homer’s body, the town felt sorry for her for the sad life she had lived. As the title “A Rose for Emily” implies, the story as a whole pays tribute to her lugubrious and lamentable life.
Is that too long?
Throughout the story, Miss Emily is not just represented as a woman. She represents aristocracy and is the talk of the town. It is as if she is the town celebrity. Ms. Emily is admired, feared, and respected by the people of the town. She is a mystery to citizens of the town. The town views her as a “slender figure in white in the background, her father a spraddled silhouette with foreground, his back to her and clutching a horsewhip.” As a young woman, many men of the town loved Miss Emily but they were all forced away by her father. Emily was seen as a figure to be admired but never touched. Emily was revered as a goddess in the townspeople’s eyes. At her funeral, all the men brought roses with them, to represent the love and respect they and the others have for her. On the other hand, the women went out of curiosity. The town also pities Ms. Emily because, “When she got to be thirty and was still single, they were not pleased.” Some townspeople think that Emily is crazy because she wants to commit suicide. She goes to the drugstore and says, “I want to buy some arsenic.” Emily is also referred to as “Poor Emily” in the eyes of her fellow townsmen. As Emily’s interest in Homer Barron gows, so does the towns pitiful remarks. This did not discourage Emily, but instead allows her to hold her head up high and look at them with the eye of a sort of “noblesse oblige”. She is going to live her life the way in which she wants to and they are going to have to like it. At this point it appears that Emily is fighting against the town. Emily is clearly not a sick or twisted woman. She grows to become “A firm able impression that continuously molds her into the woman she eventually becomes at the end, which is a woman at “seventy four…vigorous iron-gray, like the hair of an active man.”
hey, i know u said ur not posting anything till after 9…i just thought that i would help the class out. (only if u accept it) for all of those who didnt bring home the book…u can find it online, here is the link to the story…
http://www.ariyam.com/docs/lit/wf_rose.html
its good ^_^ enjoy, and as for the question u need to answer…here…
Although “a Rose for Emily” is narrated in the first person, the narrator is not “I” but “we”. The narrator thus represents a communal rather than an individual point of view. How does the narrator (and the town) view Miss Emily? Find passages that represent more than one view of her and explain their significance.
so….now there should be no excuse for anyone not doin the homework ^_^ (unless she doesnt post this…)
ps. i hope the food was good ^_^
Question: How does the narrator (and the town) view Emily?
The town views Emily as a mystery and an obligation due to the fact that her father had lent the town money that they were now repaying by helping her with her taxes. At first, the younger generation did not understand this arrangement and tried to send her taxes, but they soon found out that one could not just treat Miss Grierson this way and found themselves thrown out. The villagers respect her presence and try their best not to disturb her even when the smell coming from her house drew numerous complaints. Instead of coming to her door, the community continued to sprinkle lime around her house for years to keep he smell down. The town only sees her occasionally during the many chapters of her life. They see her when her father dies, later on when she cuts her hair and meets her husband, then after that when she has become old and gray. Most of her life is spent in her house with only her Negro servant making an appearance for errands. The town is both intrigued and respectful toward her as she is a force in the community that seems beyond the realms of normal protocol. In Chapter 2, they felt that since she was alone they could truly feel sorry for her and mentioned that they believed she could go crazy. When she dies, people give her a proper burial and act as if she was a part of the town, yet still wait until she is in the ground to open her bedroom. It is like she is still alive and they are trying not to offend her. At the end they find that she may have spent the last years of her life grief stricken due to the loss of everything she held dear, including her husband whose rotting corpse she slept with every night. The town always felt as if she was something distant from their lives, and not to be disturbed.
The narrator views Miss Emily as a woman that gives the town something to talk about. The narrator never gives any one-on-one encounters with Miss Emily and doesn’t give any specific feelings about how he feels but it is recognized that he feels Miss Emily is a little weird with issues and that with her gone, that things in the town will be better. The town feels that Miss Emily is problem in their town. It is said that her home smells bad and many people complain about her because she does nothing about it. Then, many people feel that it is unfair that she doesn’t have to pay any taxes on her home. Sometimes, the town does feel some sympathy for her. Miss Emily was a never married and her father dies which left her with no family. Then when she finally meets a man, Homer Barron, the town figures he leaves her. So some sympathy for her is felt sometimes.
In the very beginning, it seemed as if the men had respect and affection toward Miss Emily, while the women were just noisy and curious. A few paragraphs later, readers find out that after her father died and her beau deserted her, she was seen very rarely around the town. At this point both the men and the women, seemed like the felt a little pity on her. Some of men in the towm also felt pity on her when the odor of her house was causing complaints. So instead of comfronting her to her face, they secretly cleaned her place for her. After the men cleaned up her place, the entire society felt bad for her. At another point in the story, the town was happy for Miss Emily because it appeared that she was courting Mr. Homer Grierson. The Narrators(the towns people)went through a fluxuation of emotions at one point. They thought she was going to kill her self, then they thought that she would persuade Homer, and they were even under the impression that they would get married. Overall the narrators viewed Miss Emily as a quiet, helpless, love deprieved women in need of happiness.
A rose for emily,” by William Faulkner, was a masterpiece of literary rhetoric. The storyline capitivated the reader, and forced the reader to enter the sickly descriptive nature of Miss Emily. As a narator, Faulkner writes in the first person, but trades the use of his personal “I” to “we” in order to express his opinions, while at the same time, expressing the opinons of the general public.
Outwardly sullen Miss Emily lived, in a sense, a double life. That of which the public thought of her, and that of which she kept to herself. Faulkner posist, “Miss Emily had been a tradition, a duty, and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation upon the town.” This asserts the importance of Miss Emily’s existance within the town, and how eventhough she kept to herself, her being in the town was essential for the towns prepetuation. In a contrasting effect Fulkner goes on to claim, “So THE NEXT day we all said, “She will kill herself”; and we said it would be the best thing.” This claim speaks not only of Faulkners personal thought, but also asserts the opinion of the society, in that, Miss Emily had become a nuisance.
In the end the story of Miss Emily, in her exclusivity amongst a prowl of nosy neighbors, is a tale of love, and trusting onseself. Although Faulkner divulged very little in regards to what Miss Emily had to say, the reader could pick up quite clearly the way she felt. Growing up in a time where “Negros” were still refered to as such, she was always under the watchful eyes of others. Toppeled with the death of her father and the emergance of a new love interest, Miss Emily felt as though it were time for her to stop living for the public, and begin life inside herself. One may think that she trapped herself inside her house in order to run away from her problems, but in reality, she ended her life in the public eye and started a new, better life within the comfort of her home. One could conclude that for this is what is meant by the phrase, “theres no place like home.”
In “A Rose for Emily” the town seems to have mixed emotions for Miss Emily. It seems to me that they like her at sometimes and dislike her at other times. When she was spending time with Homer Barron the town hoped that the two of them would get married. When I read that part I thought that the town was happy for her. And in a sense it seemed as though they care somewhat about her. In other parts of the story it seems like the town dislikes her because I feel they are jealous. Whenever Miss Emily’s surname or family status was brought up there was always a sentence or two that suggested that the town felt that her family was better than the rest of the community. So to answer the question I think that the town had mixed feelings for Miss Emily. They did not like her but then again they did not hate her. Lets just say they were associates!
Thanks Ron! You’re the best!
The narrator and the town had pity for Miss Emily. The whole town felt that it was their duty to service her. She was only disliked when she did not reply to her tax notice. Miss Emily was not a woman who cleaned her house and as a result there were complaints about the rancid odor. Though the townspeople comlained about her when she was alive, they all went to her funeral. On page 3, the narrator viewed Miss Emily as a sick girl; she cut her hair short probably because her father had died. They didn’t think she was crazy until she bought arsenic from the druggist. On page 4, the town and narrator had three different views of her. They thought she would kill herself, then they thought she would marry, and finally she said they would persuade this man to marry her. It just comes to show that they really didn’t know what to view of Miss Emily.
The narrator and the rest of the town do not like Miss Emily’s distant attitude towards them. She can be described as a little pompous. In fact, when tragedy befalls her, the townspeople take it as an opportunity to level with her and sympathize with her troubles. The narrator comments “when her father died, it got about that the house was all that was left to her; and in a way, people were glad. At last they could pity Miss Emily. Being left alone, and a pauper, she had become humanized. Now she too would know the old thrill and the old despair of a penny more or less(76).” Others pitied Miss Emily all along because she could never find a man. Some people thought that she was going to commit suicide after her boyfriend left her and that “it would be for the best(77).”
The town views Miss Emily as a legend and, at times, someone whom each citizen can pity. The narrator goes back and forth btwn how Miss Emily is a tradition, a symbol of what the town was and how she is part of a family which holds itself to an higher standard than it deserves.
In nearly each section Faulkner-via the narrator-describe the awe she inspires in the towns men-able to “vanquish” them for generations with a mere few words and idolic silhouette in the window. Simply her absent stare is enough to recieve what she desires and push aside rules.
They talk of her “nobless oblige”-which sets her above-when she dates below the class which she supposedly elevated herself to of no right, but love for her to be aided so that neighbors can exchange the phrase “Poor Emily” in good taste.
It is evident to the last moment that no one really knew her. Readers could divulge that there was foul play with the purchase of the arsenic but the townfolk could have never prepared themselves for that bedroom discovery. In all, the town didn’t know how to few Miss Emily. (She was just cold like that.(lol))
P.S. yes…ron is the best ron around, but Ms. Bush is better.
The narrator and the town think that Miss Emily is crazy. When she is asked to pay her taxes she tells the mayor and his people to call Colonel Sartoris because he said that she din’t have to pay. The problem is that Colonel Sartoris has been dead for 10 years. This shows that she is like the rest of her family, crazy at old age. The townspeople also pity her because when her father died she pretended that he was still alive and refused for the townspeople to come and take his body. This scene represents her desperation to cling on to the only person she had left in the world.
i love u ron! i brought everything home but it was so nice of u! anyways….
The first part of the first sentence of “A Rose for Emily” that the whole town went to Miss Emily’s funeral suggests that she was well-liked or respected, but as you read on you find thatonly the men, it seems, went out of respect while the women went out of curiousity. The town’s view of Miss Emily constantly changes throught “A Rose for Emily.” The town becomes upset at her over time because she believes that she is excused from paying her taxes. They also become suspicious of her when a strange smell comes from her house. Some begin to feel sorry for her and thought she could possibly be going crazy, like a member of her family had. The towns thought that Miss Emily and her family, the Griersons, had too high of a view of themselves. Many were happy for her when it looked like she was finally found love and was getting married, and they pnce again felt sorry for her when it seemed as if her love had deserted her. The druggist was also suspicious, along with the rest of the town, when she bought the arsenic and would not explain what it was for, and I have to admit I was as well. Some thought that she would kill herself. At the beginning of chapter 4 the town’s point of view switches maybe four times in the first couple of sentences.When Miss Emily’s cousins came to visit, the narrator describes the town as Miss Emily’s allies because they wanted the cousins to leave, like they believed she did. Although it seems like the town has a mostly negative view of Miss Emily, she is described as an idol in Chapter 4.
I THINK SHE KILLED HIM. lol!
The narrator and the town viewed Ms. Emily as slightly crazy but yet they pitied her. They felt bad about her situation, her “sweetheart” deserted her, her father died, and she rarely left her home. The only sign of life on her property was her negro butler. After she bought arsenic from the druggist the town believed she would kill herself and said it was the best thing for her to do. She grew old and gray and kept out of contact with everybody in the town all anyone could say was “Poor Emily.”
The town once veiwed Miss Emily as an object of adoration. all the men wanted her and her and her family were sort of upperlass within the town. the book narroator said that the they looked at Miss Emily and her family as a tableau. After her Father died and she was single and all she had was a house, the town looked at her with pity like a fallen idole. at the end the town thinks of her as a crazy old woman before she dies. they talk about her smelly house and the fact that she never leaves her house.
To the town, Emily is a big mystery. As a whole, they have some idea of the things she has gone through in her life but they don’t understand her personality. Emily chooses not to associate with the town members. The only activity they see at her house is that of her black servant coming in and out. Emily has faced a lot of trouble in her life. She was left by her only love and had to deal with the death of her passing. It is obvious that Emily and her family were at one point looked at as being bigger than life. The passage makes reference to this when it states that she has finnally become humanized. The people of the town pitty her, but at the same time they dont seem to want to help her situation. Instead they are more concern with knowing her life’s story in its entirety. When she goes to the store to buy poison, the clerk almost helps her commit suicide because when he asks her what she wants to use it for, she does not answer. Her mannerisms should have been a warning to him of what it was for, but he didnt try to stop her. It seemed as if the clerk thought that he was putting her out of her misery.
HAHA.. 5 minutes to spare.
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From the very start, the reader is given a view and opinion of Emily Grierson. Instead of letting the reader develop his or her own idea of what Emily Grierson was like, the narrator boldly displays what they want the reader to see. The point of view, however, always seems to change throughout the story. By narrating using “we” instead of “I”, the narrator is capable of showing different views of Emily Grierson. This is intricately linked to how the town feels of Emily Grierson and the life she led towards her death.
The varying viewpoints of Emily could be narrowed down to say either “we” were for or against her. As “she was passed from generation to generation”, the town’s view of her, in essence, does not change. They see her in reference, a symbol of the aristocratic past. They despise her superiority, her ability to avoid taxation simply due to her link to the past. The town revered her, seeing her “alive, Miss Emily had been a tradition, a duty, and a care.” It was noted that as a young lass, Emily had all the young men attempting to court her. Even at her funeral, the men went “through a sort of respectful affection for a fallen monument.” However, her father had refused any of the men and Emily was stuck alone. After her father’s death and the belief that her love, Homer Barron, would leave her, the narrator then felt pity for her since “we knew that with nothing left, she would have to cling to that which had robbed her, as people will.” Quickly after, however, the narrator believed “it would be the best thing” if she were to kill herself. They saw her as a disgrace to the town and yet, in a few lines later, confess that they were “all Miss Emily’s allies.” By using “we”, Faulkner was able to point out the different aspects of the town’s view about Emily Grierson. This also gives the reader a more worldly viewpoint of Emily instead of a concrete one-sided view.
Overall The townspeople view Miss Emily as a strange, loneley, and helpless woman. But yet, they are still sympathetic and respectful towards her throughout the passage. In the early years of her life she is veiwed as a paupet; much like Nora in “A Doll’s House.” Her father had shelterd her until his death, so she could never really live for herself. When he died people felt sorry for her but were also glad that she would now be forced to become more humanized, and less mysterious. After his death, however, Emily became even more strange. The townspeolpe began to feel bad for her because she was lonley and had nothing to live for. When she meets her seetheart, Homer Barron, they are happy for her because he temporarily uplifts her spirits but he eventually desertes her too. Emily grows depressed, and isn’t seen for months at a time. Although she isolates herself from the rest of the town, the people still respect her because they understand her hardships. For example, no one had the heart to tell Emily that she smelled because they new she already had enough problems in her life, and respected that. The townspeople also show their respect and sympathy for her by attending her funeral.
James,
No, your answer is not too long. Great response.
I’m glad you saw the connection between the title and the story.
The narrator (and the Town) view Miss Emily as a crazy woman. One day, she asked the druggist for some poison. Even since her husband and father died, Miss Emily became depressed. For example, she cut her hair short and she really didn’t talk to anybody. The town thought it would be the best thing if she killed herself because she is so depressed.
Tamara,
You picked up on the use of “noblesse oblige”, which means noble obligation. Très Magnifique!
Kyla, Damon, and Jazzmin, good comments!
You all are too fantastic for me. Your comments are amazing! Keep them coming! Morgan, you’re one smart cookie…we will discuss your prediction tomorrow.
Ron, Dwaynna, Mathan, Kevan, great responses.
Aww, thanks Lauryn *n_n*
Tofunmi, Brandon, Krissy, David, and Mazalynn, you all are on fire tonight!
Christina, unfortunately you’re too late to get credit.
JUST KIDDING! You’re a sweet heart.
See you all tomorrow! I’ve got to go create a quiz for my other classes.
Ms. B
WOOT, IM THE BEST! (tries not to let it go to my head….but what can i say)
“tries not to let it go to my head”
I LOL’D
well… i was firstest….
the only one that didn’t wait til the last day to submit my answer
Heck of a job there, it abostluely helps me out.
5YXP3R yuzwrpmkzjab