A Rose For Emily Rhetorical Analysis Essay

The stylistic choices such as themes, point of view, and figures of speech by William Faulkner in his short story “A Rose for Emily” are specifically chosen to illustrate the collective perspective the townsfolk have on Miss. Emily. The gothic story features moments of emotional vacillations that enhance the uncertainty and suspense throughout the entire story. Specific to the passage Faulkner uses particular writing devices to draw attention to key ideas such as traditional values, culture and gender roles, and the idea of pity. Throughout the passage it becomes apparent that tradition is valued deeply by the townspeople but keeping a watchful eye on Miss. Emily is just as relevant in their daily lives. The culture and surroundings people …show more content…

Themes that exhibit the importance and function of social values are another key feature in this passage. The reader is informed early on that Miss. Emily was brought up in a traditional, upper-class household. Faulkner emphasizes Emily’s status by having the narrator and characters exclusively refer to the her as “Miss. Emily”. Using this title throughout the passage reflects the townspeople’s traditional values in which they feel it is important to greet and speak of someone of such grandeur with the ought most politeness. Miss. Emily continues to project elite status when the women say “...Of course a Grierson would not think seriously of a Northerner.” (Faulkner, pg. 148) By the ladies in the town stating this it becomes evident that Miss. Emily holds herself to a high standard and would never associate herself with someone of a lower social status. Paradoxically, Miss. Emily does allot time to converse with the “Yankee” (Faulkner, pg. 148) revealing her transition from traditional ways into a period of change. Her shift in morals is also disclosed when the ladies …show more content…

The term “noblesse oblige” (Faulkner, pg. 148) is an antique saying that projects one’s status and social values. By the women using this type of langue to describe Emily it is reflective of their customary character. The way Faulkner uses the terms “kinsfolk” and “kin” continues to establish this sense of a classical, old-fashioned time. The description “...rustling of craned silk and satin behind jalousies...” (Faulkner, pg. 148) is aiming to describe the women spying on Emily. Craned silk makes up high necked dresses women wore in this era putting the traditional theme once again in perspective. “Jalousies” (Faulkner, pg. 148) are referring to shutters on a house, another vintage word utilized by the author. Word choice in this passage is very crucial to the overall tone of the piece. Using new-age words in the context of the passage would not have made literary sense and therefore every word was meticulously placed with