Fiction Analysis Rough Draft Important Note From Your Instru

Fiction Analysis Rough Draftimportant Noteyour Instructor Will Assi

Fiction Analysis – Rough Draft IMPORTANT NOTE: Your instructor will assign five short stories for the class to read and discuss this week. Check the Week 4 Announcement for a list of the assigned stories. Faulkner, “A Rose for Emily” Jackson, “The Lottery” Walker, “Everyday Use” Poe, “The Tell-Tale Heart” O’Connor, “A Good Man is Hard to Find” You must choose one of these stories to earn credit on the assignment. Compose an analytical essay of at least 1,200 words in which you offer an interpretation of a literary element in one of the assigned short stories. Write your analysis focusing on one of the following elements in one of the assigned stories: Keep in mind that you are being asked to focus on one literary element in your essay. If you write on a story that is not on the list above, you will be asked to rewrite it. Character Theme Symbolism Imagery Setting Start by selecting one of the short stories assigned by your instructor. Brainstorm to identify the literary element that you would like to explore in the story. Choose from character, theme, symbolism, imagery, or setting. Then, develop a thesis that offers a specific interpretation of this element. If you have trouble coming up with a thesis, contact your instructor, who will help you. Do not do any outside research at this point. When finished, the draft should be at least 1,200 words (approximately four double-spaced pages). Use APA formatting and citations. NOTE: Your instructor may allow you to combine two literary elements in your thesis statement if they work together to support your point. Also, your instructor may allow you to compare or contrast some element in two of the assigned stories (e.g., the grandmother characters in “A Worn Path” and “A Good Man Is Hard to Find”). Ask for approval before beginning one of these approaches. Tips for the Essay Open your introduction with an engaging opener, such as a question, quote from the story, or interesting idea. Then, connect to the short story and mention the title and the author. End your introduction with a thesis statement that interprets a literary element of the story. The body paragraphs should support your thesis. Present specific aspects of the short story that help to illustrate your points. Make sure to quote from the story and analyze specific lines that support your argument. Body paragraphs typically have at least two short quotations each as supporting evidence. Include a strong concluding paragraph that summarizes your main points and explains the significance of the thesis. Finish this paragraph with a strong and satisfying ending. APA Reminder Use APA style for formatting the essay and for source citations. Begin with a title page. Include a running header, and use proper font and spacing. End with a separate references page. Refer to the Week 1 lecture on avoiding plagiarism for an APA essay template and additional resources. Peer Responses By the end of the week, respond to two peers’ essays, using the following questions: Does the introduction have an attention-getting opener? Does the introduction give the author and title of the story? Does the introduction have a thesis statement as its final sentence? Does the thesis offer an interpretation that is clear and specific? What are your suggestions for the introduction and thesis? Is each body paragraph organized around a key point? Do the paragraphs offer support with direct quotations from the story? Are the quotes and examples analyzed and explained? Do you disagree with any parts of the analysis? What aspects of the story are left unexplained? Do you have any suggestions for improving the body paragraphs? Does the conclusion summarize the main points? Does it have a strong ending that leaves the reader satisfied? Do you have suggestions for improving the conclusion?

Paper For Above instruction

The assignment asks for an analytical essay of at least 1,200 words focused on a single literary element—character, theme, symbolism, imagery, or setting—in one of the specified short stories. The essay should include a clear thesis that offers a specific interpretation of the chosen element, supported by quotations and detailed analysis. The paper must adhere to APA formatting, include a title page, and a references page. The analysis should be well-organized, with supporting evidence in body paragraphs, and conclude with a compelling summary of the main points and the significance of the interpretation. Additionally, students are encouraged to seek instructor approval if they wish to combine literary elements or compare characters across stories. Peer responses require critical assessment of the introduction, thesis, body paragraphs, and conclusion, offering constructive suggestions for improvement.

Introduction

The role of symbolism in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” exemplifies how the use of objects, settings, and characters can reveal deep themes of decay, tradition, and resistance to change. In this story, Faulkner employs various symbols that portray the South's historical decline and Emily Grierson’s tragic resistance to inevitable transformation. Through an analysis of key symbols such as Emily’s house, the hair, and the servant’s initials, it becomes evident that symbolism intertwines with the story’s themes of resistance, loss, and the passage of time. This essay will interpret how Faulkner’s use of symbolism enhances the reader’s understanding of the central themes of decay and tradition in the American South.

Body Paragraph 1: Symbolism of Emily’s House

The decaying mansion Emily inhabits is a powerful symbol of the Old South’s decline. Faulkner describes the house as “an eyesore among eyesores” and “a big, squarish frame, with columns in front like a palais having a mention of the days when there was a courtly elegance to Southern aristocracy” (Faulkner, p. 213). The mansion’s deteriorating condition parallels Emily’s own psychological decline and the fading of aristocratic Southern values. The house stands as a physical manifestation of tradition resistant to change, symbolizing the Southern gentry’s inability to adapt in a rapidly modernizing world. This symbolic motif underscores the theme of decay not just in physical structures but also in cultural and social practices.

Body Paragraph 2: Symbolism of Homer Barron’s Hair

Homer Barron’s hair is an intimate symbol that reflects Emily’s obsessive attachment and her inability to let go of the past. When the narrator observes Emily’s hair on the pillow, it signifies her possession of Homer even after his death, representing her denial of mortality and her clinging to an idealized version of love. This act symbolizes her refusal to accept the natural process of life and death, reinforcing the theme of resistance to change. Faulkner subtly suggests that Emily’s obsession is rooted in her desire to preserve her stability and status, which ultimately isolates her from the realities of life (Faulkner, p. 215).

Body Paragraph 3: Symbolism of the Servant’s Initials

The initials “H.B.” engraved on the servant’s apron stand as a subtle but meaningful symbol of the lingering presence of the past and the social hierarchies that Emily attempts to uphold. These initials script the continuity of old social distinctions that survive despite changing times. The servant’s detailed description and the emphasis on his initials evoke a sense of tradition and the persistence of aristocracy even within the decay of Emily’s world, emphasizing how these entrenched social structures resist transformation (Faulkner, p. 214).

Conclusion

William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” uses symbolism masterfully to depict themes of decay, resistance to change, and the decline of the Old South. The mansion, Homer Barron’s hair, and the servant’s initials collectively deepen the story’s exploration of how the past clings to the present, often with destructive consequences. By examining these symbols, readers gain insight into Emily Grierson’s tragic resistance to the inevitable forces of mortality and modernization. Faulkner’s symbolic language invites reflection on the broader cultural and historical shifts confronting the Southern society, underscoring the enduring power of tradition even as it crumbles under the weight of inevitable change.

References

• Faulkner, W. (1930). A Rose for Emily. In Collected Stories of William Faulkner. Random House.