- Published: September 14, 2022
- Updated: September 14, 2022
- University / College: The University of Manchester
- Language: English
- Downloads: 38
The society plays a big role in ensuring all human beings have access to basic needs regardless of their social and economic status. The author of A Rose for Emily managed to portray this through the Townspeople who dedicated their resources to ensure Emily has access to a hygienic environment.
Love is evident in their commitment to exempt her from paying taxes and other levies due to the fact that she is poor and can not afford money for such payments. This essay discusses the character of the Townspeople with regard to the development of the themes and plot of the story.
From the outset it should be noted that the Townspeople have big hearts that allow them to help each other in times of disasters. The first scene of the story is about Emily’s funeral that is described as filled to capacity. This shows their commitment to helping their members in times of tragedies. It should be noted that human beings are social animals and can not live in isolation.
This forces the Townspeople to leave their daily activities and attend Emily’s funeral (Wheeler 34). Even though most people living in urban areas are usually busy and can not leave work to attend social functions, the people in the story dedicated this day to show their respect to one of their members.
In addition, it is not usual for a common beggar’s funeral to be filled to capacity but this was an exception as crowds filled her compound during her burial ceremony. This shows solidarity and unity among the Townspeople. However, these people have weird perceptions and motives that motivate them to attend Emily’s burial (Sharma 33).
We are told that men in particular adored her and viewed her as a symbol of a fallen hero. They admired her beauty before the death of her father and it is probable that most of them would have asked for her hand in marriage. In addition, women attended her funeral due to their curiosity that drove them to want to know what happened to her all these time she had resorted to live a solitary life.
When Emily’s father died and left her with no penny except for the old house the community decided to exempt her from paying taxes (Schmoop 78). In addition, they visited her regularly to help repair her house and do some cleaning on her compound. This is a brave act of concern and love for one another.
However, their philanthropy ends with the new generation of the Townspeople who demand that she pays taxes just like any other person. This indicates the effects of modernization that threatens to tear the love and sacrifices that human beings have towards their neighbors. It is evident that the local administration represents the modern generations that are clouded by material things and do not value human life (Faulkner 41).
The new mayor orders his men to go and demand that Emily pays taxes like other people. These effects are felt further when Homer Barron befriended Emily and they had predicted that the two were going to get married.
Even though some people are happy that Emily will have a companion many prophesize doom over that relationship. They think Homer is gay due to his drinking habit with young men and that he is from a rich family and can not marry a girl from a poor family.
This story captures all the intricate details of modern life that threatens the existence of love and compassion among members in any given society. It depicts how modernization controls important aspects of human life like love and concern for each other. It is one of the best approaches as to how tradition is being eroded by modern lifestyles that ignore the morals and relationships of human beings.
Faulkner, William. A Rose for Emily (A Tale Blazer). Logan: Perfection Learning, 1990. Print.
Schmoop. A Rose for Emily: Schmoop Study Guide. New York: Schmoop University Press, 2009. Print.
Sharma, Raja. A Rose for Emily: Complete Summary and Analysis. Raleigh: Lulu Publishers, 2010. Print.
Wheeler, David. “ A Rose for Emily” William Faulkner: A Critical Analysis. New York: Dogs Tail Books, 2011. Print.
