Gender, Emily, and Chrysanthemums

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how a feminist approach to "Odour of Chrysanthemums" by D. H. Lawrence and "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner reveals that, while both stories depict women that are struggling in a male-dominated world, the narrators are rejecting the traditional notions associated with patriarchal power. It looks at how both stories illustrate how gender determines much, if not everything, in one's life.

From the Paper:

"In "Odour of Chrysanthemums," we are also presented with a woman that is a product of the male-dominated society in which she lives. In much the same way as Faulkner, the mood of the story can be seen in the descriptions the narrator provides. For example, the story takes place in a mining town. While looking for her husband, we are told, "darkness was settling" (Lawrence 305) and the miners walked in grey somber groups" (305). The inside of her home is painted with dark images as well. For instance, when Elizabeth is eating with her children, we are told that John complains that he cannot see because it is so dark. The family is only together in a physical sense and even then, they are lacking the presence of a father. Mr. Bates would rather spend time drinking with his buddies than be home with those who really need him. Here we see how Elizabeth's world is darkened by her husband's very existence."

More papers on Gender, Emily, and Chrysanthemums:

• Comparison Essay # 123978 : "'A Rose for Emily' and Miss Havisham"
• Analytical Essay # 123977 : "'A Rose for Emily' and Chronology"
• Comparison Essay # 117298 : "A Rose for Emily" and "The Cask of Amontillado"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: