Abstract

This dissertation is based on the short fiction A Rose for Emily of William Faulkner. Faulkner is a novelist who focuses a lot on the tradition of southern America. Patriarchal suppression and puritanical female virtues included in the southern tradition are the remaining of feudalism which has murdered equality and freedom for a long time. He reveals the harm of southern tradition especially patriarchal suppression and puritanical female virtues in his works. A Rose for Emily is a masterpiece among them. The short story uses multi-angle narration and time transformation during description to attract readers’ interest so that they will find an unexpected and horrible ending related to Emily’s tragedy. This dissertation is going to research on the tragic fate of Emily from three aspects: social background, family and personal factors of Emily.

Keywords: patriarchal suppression; puritanical female virtues; self-consciousness; refusal to changes

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction.1

2. Literature Review2

3. Social Background.2

3.1 Patriarchal suppression in male-dominated society3

3.2 Puritanical female virtues4

3.3 Dislocation of the times.4

4. Family.5

4.1 The social status of Emily’s family5

4.2 The selfishness and stubbornness of her father.6

5. Personal Factors of Emily.7

5.1 Lack of self-consciousness7

5.2 Refusal to accepting changes.8

6. Conclusion9

Reference11