How did William faulkner's life influence A Rose for Emily?

Answer 1

It is important because is more than just a simple short story. It is a statement on the attitudes of a an entire society. Faulkner uses the point of view of the first person plural spread over three generations of post Civil War south. This technique turns a simple tale into a statement about an entire society, because the "narrator" obviously must change over each generation. It seems all events in the story are described and interpreted by the townspeople as a whole rather than by one individual. If the attitudes of the narrator toward Emily Grierson are exactly the same over three generations, it means that that the attitudes of the entire society have not changed over three generations. Thus the story becomes one about the society itself as much as it is about Emily Grierson.

Answer 2

William Faulkner's life, specifically his experiences growing up in the American South, likely influenced the setting, themes, and characters in "A Rose for Emily." Faulkner's observations of Southern traditions, class divisions, and the impact of history on individuals can be seen reflected in the story's portrayal of the town of Jefferson and its treatment of Emily Grierson. Additionally, Faulkner's own struggles with family dynamics and societal expectations may have influenced the complex relationships and psychological depth of the characters in the story.