23rd Annual Student Research Conference
Strong But Dependent: A Look at Faulkner's Emily
Nick E. Wallner
Dr. Hena Ahmad, Faculty Mentor
Miss Emily Grierson, the protagonist of William Faulkner's short story, "A Rose for Emily," comes across as a strong woman, especially as she demonstrates an unwavering initiative to take action in order to get what she wants. This paper will contend that while Miss Emily has the courage to act upon her desires, she is forced to be completely dependent upon the men of her town who are clearly defined by the imperatives of a patriarchal society. This paper will argue that Emily's construct as somewhat of a helpless victim can be seen as reflective of William Faulkner's internalized belief in the stereotypical gendered image of women in the early years of the twentieth century in the American South.
Keywords: Faulkner, Gender, Emily
Topic(s):English
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 61-5
Location: VH 1304
Time: 3:45