A Rose for Emily: PDF - AP English Literature and Composition

AP English Literature and Composition MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEET Biographical Information about the Author Title: A Rose for Emily Author: William Faulkner Date of Publication: April 30, 1830 Genre: Sou...

AP English Literature and Composition MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEET Biographical Information about the Author Title: A Rose for Emily Author: William Faulkner Date of Publication: April 30, 1830 Genre: Southern Gothic American writer, William Faulkner, born on September 25, 1897, is best known for his novel and fictional and Historical Information about the period of publication realistic short works. This notable figure of the literary world obtained a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1949, thanks to his newly developed approach to fictional - The Great Depression takes place, and its measures writing. Additionally, many of his works centered around are put into effect. (1929-1939) topics of the American Civil War, World War I, and - FDR is elected president and becomes the first World War II. Democrat representative to gain the position in over 80 years. (1932) - The New Deal was established by FDR. (1933) - The Harlem Renaissance takes place. (Mid 1930s) - The Dust Bowl takes a heavy toll on agricultural practices. (1930) Characteristics of the Genre - storytelling of deeply flawed, disturbing or eccentric characters - grotesque characters - irrational, horrific, and transgressive thoughts, desires, and impulses Plot Summary - For starters, “A Rose for Emily” creates a darker tone right from the beginning of the read, due to the stated death of our protagonist. As the story goes on, the servant character is introduced and, within a flashback, the live and well Emily’s character is developed, her father introduced, and the setting and era is established in the house and reconstruction era. Following, Emily’s personality and traits are shown to involve an aged set of values as an effect of her father’s control and manipulation. Here one begins to gain a view into just how much of an issue her attitude is for others with the events of Emily’s Tax notice and the exchange of letters between the town mayor and Ms. Grierson. The next scene provides details of Emily’s home as the Board of Aldermen obtain access to it to meet with the main character. Ms. Emily herself and her attire are then described to create a better image, and the confrontation takes place in which the protagonist states that she does not owe taxes to the town of Jefferson, Mississippi. Afterwards, it is revealed that her father has died two years prior to the date of the event and the scene develops to describe a horrid scent emerging from Emily’s home and how the townsfolk respond. The town’s Board of Aldermen then meet and proceed to sprinkle lime across the residency to rid the citizens of the smell. In a flashback, the scene next details how at the event of her father’s death, Emily Grierson showed no sign of acceptance towards his death and held back officials from disposing if the body for a whole three days. This leads to a future telling on how Ms. Grierson meets the character of Homer Barron while renovations are being performed near her home. With her getting closer to Mr. Barron, the townspeople are next described to first feel glad for Emily, however, this soon turns to disdain and due to the concept of “noblesse oblige.” The following segment details the action of Ms. Grierson’s purchase of arsenic rat poison and her imprudent and superiority complex due to her noble roots. Next, the townsfolk theorize what may happen to Emily, whether she might die to the poison, and marry Homer Barron, or simply persuade him; both characters are later spotted on a trip together. The same citizens proceed to describe items purchased by Emily in the following scene, including a male toilet set in silver, and pertaining the letters H.B. on each piece, and a complete outfit of men’s clothing, leading others to assume that their marriage was due. It is then mentioned, however, that Mr. Barron was not seen again after entering Emily’s home, after a visit from her cousins, and that Ms. Grierson herself was not seen outside for over 6 months, only her servant. The following scene describes Ms. Grierson’s aging, leading to her developing grayed hair, and eventual death. Shortly after, her body was to be recovered by government officials, and accompanied by the two cousins, they are let in to Emily’s home by Tobe. They also seem to have found a locked room within the house which they choose to wait to open. The funeral is held in the next stage.  Afterwards, however, the cousins and with some assistance obtained access to the locked room in which they discover the purchased items by Ms. Grierson, an aged corpse, and a strand of silver hair lying by the body. Describe the author’s style An example that demonstrates that style “She had on a kind of dirty-pink—beige maybe, I don’t know—bathing John Updike’s writing style in A&P is suit with a little nubble all over it and, what got me, the straps were characterized by rich, vivid descriptions, a down. They were off her shoulder looped loose around the cool tops of casual yet thoughtful tone, and a sharp focus on her arms, and I guess as a result the suit had slipped a little on her, so the protagonist’s internal perspective. He uses all around the top of the cloth there was this shining rim.” informal, colloquial language to mirror the thoughts and speech patterns of a young man, creating a sense of authenticity. Updike often incorporates sensory details, especially visual imagery, to paint clear pictures of people and settings, as seen in his descriptions of the girls and the grocery store. His style also reflects a stream-of-consciousness technique, blending the protagonist’s observations with his emotions and reflections, often in a humorous or sarcastic manner. Memorable Quotes Quotation Significance This quote is significant because it captures Sammy’s moment of decision and personal growth. After impulsively quitting his job in a misguided “But it seems to me that once you begin a attempt to impress the girls, he realizes that he cannot back out once he has gesture it’s fatal not to go through with it.” started. This reflects a larger theme in the story: the transition from adolescence to adulthood, where actions have real consequences. Sammy’s gesture is a form of rebellion against authority and conformity, but it also highlights his naivety. In the end, the quote foreshadows his realization that standing by his impulsive decision will make life harder for him moving forward. Characters Name Role in the Story Significance Adjectives Emily was:  - Authoritative Reclsusive Emily Grierson Emily Grierson is the protagonist Stubborn of the story -As a Northern laborer and a symbol Mysterious of the modern, industrialized world, Obsessive Homer Barron Homer represents the changing A Northern laborer who comes to society that Emily resists. His Homer was: town to work on a construction presence in the town, and his Charismatic project. Emily’s lover. relationship with Emily, contrast the Uncommitted Old South’s values with the arrival of Nothern Northern influence after the Civil Mr. Grierson Emily’s controlling father, who War. Homer’s lack of interest in Mr. Grierson prevented her from marrying while marriage and his perceived was: he was alive, believing that no man unsuitability as a partner for Emily Traditional was good enough for her. further emphasize the breakdown of Controlling traditional social structures. His Arrogant murder by Emily signifies her The Townspeople The townspeople serve as the extreme attempt to hold onto The Townspeople (Narrator): collective narrator of the story. They something—someone—permanently (Narrator) were: observe and gossip about Emily’s in a world where nothing seems Nosy life. stable anymore. Curious Judgmental Tobe (Emily’s Emily’s loyal servant, an African -Mr. Grierson symbolizes the rigid, Sympathetic Servant) American man who tends to the patriarchal values of the Old South. house and serves her for many years. His control over Emily’s life, Tobe was: particularly his refusal to let her Loyal marry, shapes her future and Obedient The former mayor of the town who contributes to her deep isolation. Silent Colonel Sartoris absolves Emily of paying taxes after Even after his death, his influence Mysterious her father’s death lingers in Emily’s behavior, showing how the expectations of the past can Colonel Sartoris suffocate those who are trapped by was: them. His portrait, which hangs in Traditional Emily’s house, is a constant reminder Protective of his oppressive authority and the Authoritative hold the past has on her. Reflect the evolving South and the struggle between honoring the past and embracing progress. Tobe represents the quiet, obedient role that many African Americans were forced into in the Old South. His loyalty to Emily, even though her life is strange, reflects the lasting effects of slavery and the unequal social structure that still existed after the Civil War. Tobe's silence and disappearance after Emily's death hint at how Black people were often ignored or forgotten in Southern history. Though his character isn’t deeply explored, he also symbolizes loyalty to dying traditions and outdated ways of life. Colonel Sartoris represents the old Southern aristocracy and its values.  By excusing Emily from paying taxes, he shows how elite families were given special treatment. His actions make it harder for Emily to adjust to the changing world. His death symbolizes the end of the old Southern ways and the decline of traditional values. Setting Significance of opening scene The setting is the town of Jefferson, Mississippi, after the Civil War. Emily’s decaying house symbolizes both her isolation and how there aren’t any more southern traditions. As the town becomes more modern, Emily holds on to the past, highlighting the tension between old and new. The opening scene shows the townspeople attending Emily’s funeral, setting her up as a mysterious character. It highlights her as a symbol of the Old South and introduces the theme of her separation from the community. Significance of ending/closing scene The closing scene reveals that Emily had been sleeping next to the dead rotten body of Homer Barron for years. Symbols This highlights how she refuses to let go of the past and her desperation to abandonment. It symbolizes her fear of change, while also reflecting both her personal life and The decaying mansion symbolizes Emily herself and the the old Southern values. fading Old South The single gray hair found on the pillow next to Homer Barron's corpse represents Emily’s attachment The pocket watch that Emily carries symbolize the passage of time and her obsession with stopping time. Old AP Questions 1. In many works of literature, characters experience personal growth or moments of self-realization. Choose a novel or play in which a character comes to understand something new about themselves or their world. Write an essay explaining how this realization is achieved and how it contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.  2. Some of the most significant moments in a work of literature occur when a character makes a choice. Write an essay in which you analyze how that choice reveals the character of the protagonist and contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. 3. In many works of literature, social class and conformity play a significant role in shaping the narrative. Discuss how the author uses social class and conformity to develop the protagonist’s journey in a novel or play of your choice. 4. Often, the setting of a literary work can shape its characters and influence the action. Write an essay analyzing the importance of the setting and its impact on the development of the characters. Possible Themes - Control - Power - Death - Isolation