"There was a land of Cavaliers and Cotton Fields called the Old South. Here in this pretty world, Gallantry took its last bow. Here was the last ever to be seen of Knights and their Ladies Fair, of Master and of Slave. Look for it only in books, for it is no more than a dream remembered, a Civilization gone with the wind'' (Mitchell). This foreword from the famous novel Gone with the Wind had summarized the Old South. The civilization may be gone with the wind, but the discussion and study of that time will never end. It was an endless theme for many American writers at the time. William Faulkner was considered to be one of the greatest writers in the twentieth century that associated with this theme. In fact, he belonged to a once-wealthy plantation owner family. The history of his family and the Old South has inspired Faulkner's imagination. Almost everyone is familiar with his works. His stories were about changes in the Old South and the struggling of its old values in the new world. There are many example of this theme can be found his most popular short story "A Rose for Emily."" This Gothic story was told by an unknown author who generally speaks for the fictional town of Jefferson, Yoknapatawpha County in Mississippi about Emily Grierson. They called her by the name of Miss Emily and became inquisitive with her mysterious life. Along with the townspeople, readers were captivated with Miss Emily's love, obsession and revenge that can only be found in the Old South (Akers 2). The historical period had influenced Miss Emily's behaviors, the changes between generations, as well as the town's curiosity. Yet, it is "a generation gone with the wind- that modern readers could never understand.
Influentially, Miss Emily's psychotic behaviors and actions were the results of this time period. Reading the story today, readers can find the complete contrast between Miss Emily's passion and modern love.
