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Motifs
Definition of Paradox
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. Oscar Wilde's famous declaration that "Life is... read full definition
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. Oscar... read full definition
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel... read full definition
Section 1
Explanation and Analysis—A Dying Lifestyle:
Miss Emily refuses to adapt to modern times and is bent on maintaining the way of life she grew up with. Around her, however, the town embraces many of the developments that the new generation brings. Thus a paradox forms: while the town adapts to changing times, they also feel an obligation to support Miss Emily, someone who is resists change. The narrator states:
Alive, Miss Emily had been a tradition, a duty, and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation upon the town, dating from that day in 1894 when Colonel Sartoris [...] remitted her taxes, the dispensation dating from the death of her father on into perpetuity. Not that Miss Emily would have accepted charity. Colonel Sartoris invented an involved tale to the effect that Miss Emily's father had loaned money to the town, which the town, as a matter of business, preferred this way of repaying. Only a man of Colonel Sartoris' generation and thought could have invented it, and only a woman could have believed it.
Because Miss Emily's father was so influential, Colonel Sartoris pays tribute to him through remitting Miss Emily's taxes as long as she is alive. The words "tradition," "duty," and "obligation" bring the weight of the past into the present. While the townspeople do not owe Miss Emily anything personally, the respect that they had for her father brings them to care for his daughter. The townspeople even stand by as Colonel Sartoris invents a tale to convince Miss Emily to accept the remittance, showing their sincerity and support. The phrase "only a man of Colonel Sartoris' generation" highlights the datedness of Colonel Sartoris's idea, again emphasizing the past as the reason why the townspeople view Miss Emily as an obligation.
As time passes in the story, readers see the town's adaptation to changing times. They pave new roads, put up mailboxes, and adapt a housing number system—something that they attempt to persuade Miss Emily to do. Even though she shuns their attempts, this does not deter them from taking care of her.
Lastly, Miss Emily herself can be seen as a paradoxical symbol of tradition. For as long as Miss Emily is alive, she labors to preserve the customs of the past—the only exception being when she starts seeing Homer Barron, a Northerner. While Miss Emily attempts to maintain a semblance of the past, this past is becoming more and more outdated. In other words, Miss Emily attempts to preserve a dying way of life through obsolete customs and symbols, revealing the paradox of the actions of Miss Emily herself.
Related Themes:
