Skip to main content

In "A Rose for Emily," what did the next generation of town leaders do on the first of the year?

In Faulkner's short story, "A Rose for Emily," Miss Emily Grierson represents the fading traditions of the Southern town in which she lives. She is the last of a once great and powerful family, albeit one whose means are greatly diminished at the time of her father's death. Because of what she represents, and the history of her family, the mayor at the time of her father's death remits her property taxes, "the dispensation dating...

In Faulkner's short story, "A Rose for Emily," Miss Emily Grierson represents the fading traditions of the Southern town in which she lives. She is the last of a once great and powerful family, albeit one whose means are greatly diminished at the time of her father's death. Because of what she represents, and the history of her family, the mayor at the time of her father's death remits her property taxes, "the dispensation dating from the death of her father on into perpetuity."


When the next generation of town leaders comes into power, they, later claiming that no record of the remittance exists, send a property tax notice to Miss Emily on the first of the year. At first she ignores the tax notice, then when the town government persists, she agrees to a meeting. At that meeting, she dismisses their concerns, steadfastly maintaining that she does not pay taxes. Eventually, the town government gives up and allows her to continue not paying any taxes.


Faulkner uses this incident to show both Miss Emily's status in the town as well as her own sense of self. Not only does she represent a past era, she herself continues to live in that era, and she shows that she is going to keep living in it despite what others in town may want her to do.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more