In-Text Citation Exercise: A Rose for Emily

Block/Long Quotation

One of the major themes in the novel “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner and Robinette illustrates people’s reluctance to accept the will of the majority. The social behavior represented is that of an individual swimming against the current. This idiom describes Emily’s struggle of prevailing opinions and new customs in the current traditions. For instance, Emily’s civic engagement with political matters declined, as she remained unresponsive to her tax responsibilities. In the words of Faulkner,

When the next generation, with its more modern ideas, became mayors and aldermen, this arrangement created some little dissatisfaction. On the first of the year they mailed her a tax notice. February came, and there was no reply. They wrote her a formal letter, asking her to call at the sheriff's office at her convenience. A week later the mayor wrote her himself, offering to call or to send his car for her, and received in reply a note on paper of an archaic shape, in a thin, flowing calligraphy in faded ink, to the effect that she no longer went out at all. The tax notice was also enclosed, without comment. (28)

The symbols used in this text, such as the archaic shape of the paper, the calligraphy font, and the faded ink represent an attachment to the purity of her traditions and time; however, this bond to her former lifestyle isolates her from the reality of the current times. Emily is slowly silenced and without a voice.

Integrated Quotation

The character Emily Grierson plays in the story “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner and Robinette depicts a behavior that is currently expressed by people in modern societies, such as grandparents. The reluctance and close-mindedness in adapting to the present society have alienated Emily from her daily functions. As stated by Faulkner and Robinette, Emily responded to the mayors and aldermen in the form of “a note on paper of an archaic shape, in a thin, flowing calligraphy in faded ink, that she no longer went out at all” (28). These objects are used to symbolize her strong connection with traditional times. Not only will Emily not conform to the new policies regarding taxation, but her every movement is calculated to voice her bold opinions on her traditions.

Paraphrased In-Text Quotation

The new political leaders and ideologies have affected the traditional customs of the character played by Emily Grierson in the story “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner and Robinette. After receiving multiple tax notices from the governing roles, Emily decided to ignore the messages and became inattentive to what resembled the current society. When the leaders undertook a more direct approach in offering to transport Emily from her home to the tax office, Emily decided to respond. In her reply, she simply and clearly stated that she had no interest in integrating with the current society outside of her home. Emily calculated her response by using traditional methods of communicating her message by using an older writing style, such as cursive writing and an old pen with low ink level (Robinette and Faulkner 28).

Work Cited

Robinette, Joseph, and William Faulkner. A Rose for Emily: A One-Act Play. Chicago: Dramatic Pub. Co., 1983. Print.