Comparison between A rose by Emily and The Dead - Term Paper Example

Comparison between A rose by Emily and The Dead Introduction These are short stories designed to give message regarding death. Narrators use different approaches to describe this subject. William Faulkner uses examples to illustrate the effects of death, while James Joyce uses life challenges. This paper gives a comparison of narratives; it has a detailed summary of the stories. A brief summary introduces the paper followed by different comparisons. The article discusses the differences between the two narrations in reference to the plot, theme, styles, and character development, among others. The two narrations share the same theme, “death”, but follows different approaches. Authors have also developed main characters differently, where the first narration shows excellent development while the second fails to meet the demands. Comparison of the plots and settings Summary of “A Rose by Emily” The author divides the narration in different sections. In the first section, the narrator remembers of Emily Grierson’s funnel. The moment that hit her is her death, and how the whole community attended her funnel despite them not visiting the home for the past ten years. In an upscale neighborhood, once-elegant, the house of Emily is the last of a lost era in reference to vestige of grandeur. The previous mayor, Mr. Colonel Sartoris, had called off Emily’s tax duty after her father’s death. Mayors who succeeded this illustrious man made attempts ensure Emily paid tax, but it was all unsuccessful. Different struggles were made by city governors, but they were all referred to colonel. The narrator expounds on the incident that happened 30years back when a powerful odor was detected in her property by the neighborhoods. Her father had passed away, and the man planning to marry her had abandoned her. The existing mayor, Judge Stevenson, think of visiting the premise at the middle of the night to know the source of the smell. The whole city pities Emily over the tragedy keeping in mind her aunt had grown mad in the season. The father, Grierson was strict, and Emily turns thirty when she is still single. Women call Emily and mourn with together. She hardly believes this and claims that the father is alive, but later turns up for the burial (Joseph 22). Ultimately, the narrator gives an explanation on Emily’s illness, an instance that leads to her death. Activities initiated as a result of her death are also expounded. These include path expansion through clearing and constructions. Her association with Homer Baron is also discussed where people think that she has forgotten about her family’s pride, and started associating with lay men. In the process of the affair, she visits a drug store where she purchases some rat poison (James 11). Homer disappears for meritorious; Emily is depressed and remains indoors despite her selling some Chinese paintings. Nothing is heard from her, except the glimpse of her windows. She lives like that till she dies at the age of 74. Emily later dies and the whole city come to mourn with friends and relatives (Joseph 42). Summary of “The Dead” In this short story, Gabriel is referred to as a man of authority and caution from the reputation he had for his aunt, and a restrained behavior. He also encounters some challenge in his dealing with two women. He gives a provocative statement to Lily when asked about his love life. He escapes the challenge by refusing to explain what he meant, but rather diverting the direction of the conversation to a holiday trip. He blames his level of awareness for not being able to relate with semi-literates like Lily. He uses his money to speak in situation where he lacks the confidence to speak. This instance proves Gabriel’s love for his aunt and that he cannot accept defeat by giving black answers (Richard 13). The profoundness of Gabriel’s realization is emphasized by the holiday setting of Epiphany which is the conclusion of the story. He experiences internal struggles that change him, and make him reflect on his life, and the life of other human beings. In Dubliners, many characters abruptly stop chasing their dreams and desires without any explanation, but this collection offers more precise articulation for Gabriel’s deeds. Gabriel pictures himself as a person’s shadow shining in a world of living and the dead. Gabriel realizes that the division between the present of the living and the past of the dead which he insisted on in his speech during dinner; is false. As he peeps out of his window, he sees the snow falling and he envisions Michael Furey’s grave being covered in it similar to the way snow covers the living and the country of Ireland. Gabriel’s possibility of embracing life and changing his attitude is left open in the story, though his dull dwelling on the darkness of Ireland ends Dubliners with sullen acceptance. Gabriel will eventually die, and become part of the past (Hans 11). Character development William has developed the main character in an excellent way compared to Joyce. There is simplicity all over the narrative. The role of the protagonist is clearly illustrated from the beginning to the end. On the other hand, Joyce has failed in protagonist development. A reader starts to capture the Gabriel’s importance in the middle of the narration. Differences: Comparisons between the main characters Emily The author has developed the main character from the beginning of the narration to the end. He illustrates how she was challenged by life as well the community. He shows how life was unfair on her, how death carried her beloved ones as well as the suffering brought in life as a result of their deaths. From the main character, it is quite easy to depict the theme and the message in the short story (Hans 21). Gabriel The author has not worked on the development of the main character. Illustration of the main theme through the main character is not clear too. The author uses Gabriel’s inefficiencies in life to develop the theme. He also compares the main characters life with that of other people to see the sense in the young boy’s life (James 11). Differences between the plots The book a Rose for Emily is direct. The author has discussed death in an open manner. Emily is hit by different death challenges and later ends up dying in the end of the story. In the story “Death”, the author is experiencing death reflections. Gabriel is thinking what to do so that he can leave a worthy life. In summary, the author of the short story “A rose by Emily and The Dead” uses example to develop the theme, while the other author uses reflection and thoughts (Hans 11). Comparisons of the themes Death The two narrations have different interpretations and presentation with regards to death. From the first narrative, it is evident that death brings about pain and agony. This is different in the second narration. The author presents death as an item that is inevitable; therefore, people should perfect their life to leave a legacy. It is also evident that death plays different roles in life. The first narration does not develop the role of death in people's lives, but the second narration illustrates how death rectifies people's failures. This is because it reminds human being to live devotedly because things may change in the future days (Hans 44). Death prevails all through the short story “A Rose for Emily”. Deaths follow from the beginning of the book to the end. It begins with a description of rose’s death as a comparison with the present. The narrator also illustrates how people were concerned about the dead. In the story “The Death,” the narrator brings out a relationship between the dead and the living. He also talks about the meeting point of the two groups. There are many instances where death forecast it is in the present. An ideal example is where Gabriel notices that his ways of life are not worthy, and he may not have done any material thing in his life. He compares himself with prominent individuals such as Michael Furey. These comparisons were being brought forth by as a result of his poor ways of handling issues regarding women (Hans 45). Similarities: Change and traditions A rose for Emily The author has portrayed Emily as a mysterious figure; this is in the aim of illustrating the struggles that come along with maintaining tradition in a thoroughly changed society. Jefferson is highly rigid to change. Throughout the narrative, Emily is a mixed blessing; she remains in the past despite many positive advancements. Emily tends to honor and respect many things in her world, although her character turned to be a burden to the outside world. Her father hinders her marriage as a result of being conservative. She ends up isolating herself from the rest of the world, therefore making her own world (William 45). The Dead Joyce the author of the Dubliners has illustrated change and tradition in the form of prison and routines. The traditions affect the characters that face challenges and predicaments in life. Gabriel is challenged by different instances in the course of the party; he realizes that all were as a result of the faults made in his early life. He also acts figure in the past as he does not accept the fact that his previous lover has moved on with life. This hurts him, and he ends up thinking of how to make a change in his life by adopting new ideas (Joseph 22). Objectives of the narratives From a detailed analysis of the narrations, the two narrations play an educative role. In the narrative, by William, educative subjects such as effects of poor governance, advantages of solidarity, and significances of flexibility are clearly illustrated by the author. The new local governance is engulfed by individualism unlike the previous. They are all pushing Emily to the wall in reference to her tax duty. Solidarity makes it easy for the community to carry societal issues such as burial; this is a salient lesson in today’s world. Emily, as well as her family suffers as a result of lack of flexibility. Flexibility makes one be in a position to associate with the rest of community, an element that lacked in Emily (William 24). On the other hand, Joyce illustrates the importance learning from failures. Gabriel took a wise step in making a decision of struggling to a leave a legacy after his death. This is a result of challenges from successful individuals in his community. Common Styles used in the narrations Paralysis In the story “The Dead,” it is notable that characters have an inability to reverse and change their life for the better. Gabriel is principal in this weakness; he is fully confused about his life. He notices that he gives inadequate answers, when dealing with women. His age mates experiences the same challenge all together as they try to adjust to the new changes in life. Gabriel is also hurt by the fact that his previous girlfriend has moved on with her life (William 33). In the short story “a Rose by Emily,” paralysis is also notable among key characters. The protagonist never lives to meet any of her dreams. She never got married in time because his further was over protective; after her father’s death, she plans to get married but the mission becomes unsuccessful. The current city governance hardly meets its desires as well; struggles to tax Emily turn to be unsuccessful (James 12). Epiphany Characters in the story “The Dead,” experiences both small and large revelation, these revelations aim at adding value to their lives. Gabriel encounters many challenges in life, but above all, he challenged by the fact that he takes life wrongly. Michael Furey acts as an inspiration to Gabriel from his achievements and the way of life (James 26). In the story “A Rose by Emily,” the narration revolves around material occurrences in life. The narrator narrates how death affected the life of the protagonist leading to her ultimate death. The balance between small and significant occurrences is absent (Hans 56). Another common theme in the narrations is betrayal. Gabriel betrays his friends while partying at his aunt’s party. The new governance in the city betrays decisions made by their predecessors on Emily’s tax burden. Conclusion Death is the subject discussed in the two narrations. It comes along with pain and agony in reference to “A Rose by Emily. It also helps us make crucial steps in life because life is short. Narrators in the short stories act a real inspiration to the current generation. It criticizes individualism among political leaders as well as the association among age mates (Joseph 33). Work cited William, Faulkner. A rose for Emily: and other stories.United kingdom: Kairyudo, 1956. Joseph, Robinette, and William, Faulkner.A Rose for Emily. Dramatic Publishing, 1983. Hans, H. Skei, and William, Faulkner. Reading Faulkner's best short stories. Carolina: Univ of South Carolina Press, 1999. James, Joyce. The dead: from Dubliners. K.D. Duval [and] C.H. Hamilton, 1982. Richard, Nelson, and James Joyce. James Joyce's The dead. Samuel French, 2001. James, Joyce and Thomas, Fasano. The Dead. London: Coyote Canyon Press, 2008. Read More