Discussion Questions Week#2

2. Discuss “Rose for Emily” in light of the title: What significance does the “rose” hold? Where in the text do you see a rose . . . or do you? Explain your observations and ideas.

A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner could reflect different views as to what the story may be about. On one end the title could give the impression of a sort of love story because the significance of the rose could be of romanticism. The rose holds a tremendous significance in the story. Depending on someone’s views may stand for different concepts. I believe the rose symbolizes Homer. Emily’s father always wanted the best for her and Homer was what was best for her. She received a rose that brought along love and compassion. At the same I also think that the rose could signify death. Most funerals involve flowers, and in this case the rose stands for her last goodbye. She wanted to live love and compassion and she was afraid of what was to come when Homer wouldn’t return. Even though a rose was never present in the story itself it did show that a rose has a deeper meaning than just a simple symbol. Also it is difficult to tell what Emily was really like or trying to prove because the townspeople cannot be reliable. They did not have the same interactions as Emily did and were not in the house with her to see exactly what was occurring. This could change the meanings left behind by Emily.

6. From your text (and you may answer this one in first-person as it invites a “reader-response”-themed response. “Are you bothered by [“The Storm’s”] happy ending? Are stories supposed to reinforce the dominant values of a society? What do you think would (or should) have happened in real life?” (658)

Honestly I am not bothered by the happy ending. I think it is good to change things up a bit. Not everything has to end negatively because of a wrongful action. Stories are to be used and created for creative purposes and imagination. If every story was written as what dominant values society has there would be no fun in using your imagination and creating something different. We can see our values occur in real life and have to read what we already know should happen or be like takes away from the story. In real life, this situation could have gone two ways. The first way could have been just like the in the story, maybe no one would have found out about what happened between Calixta and Alcee. They would have never mentioned it and live their happy lives. The other way it could have went down in real life is that the husband and wife would have found out and end their happy lives. Each character would have divorced or separated creating problems between themselves. It was unclear why Calixta made her decision but in a story I believe it is okay not show that because it gives a different side to dominant values society has set upon.