Conservative Agrarian Society Aspects that Adopted Northern Technologies after Civil War

Response to A Rose for Emily
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Introduction
A Rose for Emily by Faulkner is a record of the early twentieth century changes that were brought to the American South. The book touches on various aspects of the conservative agrarian society that had to adopt to Northern technologies after the Civil war. The plantation owners faced challenges of coping, but with each passing generation, modernity and development became part of the American South Ideology. There was a conflict in perception between the young generation and the old mentality of Emily the symbol of the Old South as a white woman. When the neighbors started complaining about the smell that develops in Emily’s house, Judge Stevens is hesitant in unswervingly talking to her since to him, she means all that is virtuous, humble, and revered. A young Alderman of the board does not have an issue in basically sending her a word to clean her house but Judge Stevens refuses saying “will you accuse a lady to her face of smelling bad?”
With passing years, Emily stopped being seen as the moral guide and educator of children as the newer generation grew up and did not send their children to her. Modernity altered the South from a one class-based society living on explicit rituals and traditions to a society that was under the law of the government. White womanhood and class in the South were vital topics that the dominating white male had to protect. Therefore, Emily was supposed to abide by the specific values and domestic principles. The changes in the class had negative significances on Emily. The relationship with Mr. Bar...