Essay On The Old South In A Rose For Emily

Change is often traumatic and intense. This is true in the transition from the Old South and the New South as illustrated, by William Faulkner in “A Rose for Emily.” Before the Civil War, life in the South was dreadful for some people, and it was glorious for others. However, after the Civil War, life changed drastically for the South as a whole. One of the best ways of learning about the Old South and the New South is to read literature by William Faulkner. In “A Rose for Emily”, Faulkner uses symbolism, metaphors, and imagery to describe the differences between the Old South and the New South.
Throughout the story, symbolism plays a crucial role in developing a thorough understanding of the change happening in the South. One of the most noticeable symbols of the time passing is Miss Emily’s hair as the people of the town point out by saying, “When we next saw Miss Emily, she had grown fat and her hair was turning grey” (Faulkner 1). Her physical transformation symbolizes how the South took years to transform since the people were not ready to face the change. In 1804, all of the Northern states had voted to abolish slavery; however, it was not until 1865, after the Civil War, until the Southern states made this decision (Boston and Hallam 1).
Faulkner does this by comparing the change in the character’s life to the transition of the South. After Miss Emily’s death, “...the men through a sort of respectful affection for a fallen monument...” (Faulkner 1). The men compare Miss Emily to a fallen monument because everything that defines her slowly dies when the Old Southern ways change (Muss).
In conclusion, the gradual Southern transformation was difficult for the people to adapt to. This is due to the fact that people are not usually willing to change their traditions. Once people get accustomed to something it becomes difficult to get them to