23rd Annual Student Research Conference
Compliance With and Rejection of Gender Roles in William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" and Kate Chopin's "The Storm"
Kathryn A. Toomey
Dr. Hena Ahmad, Faculty Mentor
Through a feminist perspective, William Faulkner's and Kate Chopin's stories, "A Rose for Emily" and "The Storm," respectively, exhibit prominent gender roles encouraged and expected by society. Emily of "A Rose for Emily" is ostracized by her community because of her strict adherence to social norms. She accepts the idea that women must marry unfailingly and suffers a pitiful life, hoarding the corpse of her murdered lover in a dusty, molding attic room. Calixta of "The Storm" rebels against society's rules by committing adultery with unregretful passion while her husband is away. Both stories detail the same idea--following strictly defined gender roles for women can be damaging, while questioning such roles may lead to greater happiness. This paper will examine the gender roles society places on women through the short stories of two very different authors, and the consequences of said gender roles on people as a whole.
Keywords: William Faulkner, Kate Chopin, "A Rose for Emily", "The Storm", feminism, gender roles
Topic(s):English
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 61-1
Location: VH 1304
Time: 2:45