Paper Example on Two Short Stories: Everyday Use and A Rose for Emily

Introduction

Literature is a form of writing that enables people to analyze issues present in a particular society. Furthermore, the essay allows a reader to interact with themes that were present in ancient ages during the writing. This paper is about two short stories, Everyday Use and A Rose for Emily. The story Everyday Use depicts a historical context of around late 1960 or early 1970. Similarly, A Rose for Emily spans over seventy-five years between the time of the American civil war to the late 1920 or early 1930.

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The paper analyses the two main ideas noticed throughout the stories that are, symbolism and tradition versus change. There are a lot of similarities that symbolism depicts in both the Everyday Use and A Rose for Emily story. Surprisingly, in as much as the symbolism and tradition versus change exhibits similarities in the two stories, a significant variability also exists. Both stories use symbols to represent ancient times. However, the symbols used vary from one account to another. Also, going through both stories, the reader notices some similar aspects representing the theme of change versus modernity. On the other hand, there are some noticeable differences in the way the issue of tradition versus change plays out in the two stories.

Main Body - Symbolism and Tradition versus Change

Symbolism

The two stories use symbolism to emphasize the connection with the ancient period. The quilts in the story Everyday Use symbolizes a generation of old period connecting with the women living in the current world. It is a tool that tells a story about life and hardship, such as poverty and hardship that their ancestors passed, though when they are alive. Similarly, the house of Emily gets used as a remaining symbol of a dying world of aristocracy in the South. However, the differences manifest in the way symbolism gets used in the two stories.

Point 1: In as much as the quilt gets used as a connecting tool in the story of Everyday Use, it further symbolizes the spirit of ancestors living among the present. It was a deliberate move by Mama, to use the quilt daily so that the souls of the ancestors continue residing among them (Elmore, 2019). Additionally, the quilt got preserved since it tells the story of the origin of the modern society in which people live. The young generations also used the quilt to learn the history of their ancestors that lived long ago. However, some of the young ages with modern education like Dee do not know the history of their ancestors. It is hence threatening the bond that exists between the living and the ancient generation.

Point 2: On the other hand, Emily's house symbolizes the history of a dying ancient world still living in the present world. Although the house stands as a monument reminding the people of a dying generation, it appeared as an eyesore to many people (Wang, 2018). Contrary to the symbolism that connects people to ancient get celebrated in Everyday Use, people do not celebrate the house of Miss Emily, symbolizing the classical period. The house expresses a dying oppressive period, which is now paving the way for modernity. Another difference in the use of Emily's house as a symbol is a depiction of mental instability and death (Wang, 2018). Ever since Emily's father died, she depicts characteristics of mental instability to the point that she murders her boyfriend, Homer. Therefore, the symbolism used in A Rose for Emily only portrays negativity.

Tradition versus Change

In both Everyday Use and A Rose for Emily, a sharp contrast emerges between traditions interacting with the new change occurring in the world. Both stories agree that the recent changes occurring in the current world are unwelcome by people who still stick to their conservative ways. Similarly, the two accounts agree that most people who still preserve their traditions find it confusing when interacting with modernity. In the two stories, the change got represented by Dee getting an education and modern taxation plan in Everyday Use and a Rose for Emily, respectively. Also, Mama and Maggie in Everyday Use and Emily in a Rose for Emily are the representation of traditions.

Point 1: However, there is a big contrast in the way tradition interacts with modernity in the two stories. Although Mama does not like the way education has changed her daughter Dee, she somehow regrets her life's existence in old ways. For instance, Mama narrates that she schooled to grade two levels, after which the school closed down (Elmore, 2019). She thinks maybe her future could have become different had she received sufficient education. Moreover, Mama pities her daughter for remaining at home with her and not being able to go to school. The two cases clearly show that, although some people still leave in their traditional form of life, there is that inner urge that wishes they ought to have gotten a chance to get an education. Thus, the most significant inhibition to embrace change is the lack of opportunity.

Point 2: On the contrary, the interaction between traditions and changes is like the east and west. Although individuals representing change welcomes people with conservative ideas to embrace new ways, the action does not bear any results due to sharp resistance. For instance, Emily completely refuses to pay taxes to the town leadership (Wang, 2018). Even at cases in which mailboxes were to get installed on Emily's house, she ultimately refuses the move. AS a result, she ends up dying while still sticking to her traditional ways of living. It is surprising to note that some people admired the old lifestyle lived by Emily that people had forgotten entirely (Wang, 2018).

Conclusion

In conclusion, various forms of symbolism are used in both stories to connect with the ancient form of life. Some of the symbolism vary in the way they get used in Everyday Use and a Rose for Emily. Moreover, a sharp contrast gets noted between the traditional way of life and the recent changes. Mama, however, regrets not getting a chance to embrace change. On the other hand, change is entirely unwelcome for Miss Emily. Although change is good, it is also crucial for someone to embrace their historical roots.

References

Elmore, R. T. R. (2019). Cultural Trauma's Influence on Representations of African American Identity in Alice Walker's" Everyday Use" (Doctoral dissertation, University of Dayton). Retrieved from http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1575988169901602

Wang, S. H. (2018). Subjectivation through the Name-of-the-Father: A Lacanian Reading of William Faulkner's A Rose for Emily. Journal of English Language and Literature, 10(3), 1029-1033.