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Literary Techniques In William Faulkner's A Rose For Emily

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The story chosen as the best short-short story is ‘A Rose for Emily’ by William Faulkner. The initial reaction to the short story was horror, as Faulkner utilizes two literary techniques. The techniques are used throughout the entire story to cause intrigue in readers, create suspense, and shift one’s view. Throughout ‘A Rose for Emily’, Faulkner uses a confusing level of chronology to describe events and has several narrators presenting the story (Vartany, 2011). Each point of view was essential to the describing the strength of Emily and her level of pride. It also plays a vital role in reducing the horror over the death and offers depth in regards to her actions and reasoning. Faulkner’s use of descriptions, the setting, background information, tone, structure, and use of themes create a story that is easier to understand and visual by readers. …show more content…

This helps readers to focus more on the motivations of the characters, reasons for their actions, and assist in understanding the reactions of characters. The setting also assists in creating a different mood and tone in the story, when the characters shift their narrations. The setting in ‘A Rose for Emily’ is in a town in Jefferson, which is fictitiously located in the southern portion of the United States. Faulkner is instrumental in presenting the setting as the overall view, belief, mentality, and actions of the townspeople. Emily is placed at a higher regard than the other characters

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