Write a response to a peer's post that adds or extends to the discussion point of your peer by Friday

Stephanie Martin 

Tradition and Honor

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While the two short stories are set in very different time periods, and more importantly, are written in almost contrasting style, the way the writer's portray the concepts of tradition and honor in " A Rose for Emily" and "Killings" can be described as parallel.  

"A Rose for Emily" is a more traditional short story, portraying much of the conflict that happened in the South as generations from before the Civil War passed and newer, more modern ways of living were adopted by the people.  "Poor Emily," as repeated many times, was part of the old guard and as sidewalks were laid and the streets were paved, many of the people saw her more as a symbol of the past, rather than a living, breathing being.  Many of the traditions were upheld in dealing with Miss Emily, such as calling upon visitors and eventually, accepting her tax exemption, however, the concept of honor is seen primarily through the actions of Miss Emily.  As an single, Southern woman, she was to keep her honor and not consort with a single man, much less a man from the North,  It could be suspected that Barron was not going to commit to her and her honor, and more significantly, her need to preserve her honor, drove her to poison the man.  

"Killings" is an example of a more contemporary short story, missing much of the floral stylistics of Faulkner's piece, but the concept of tradition and honor still drive forth the action of the story.  Matt and his friend, Willis, are attempting to seek revenge and ultimately, protect the honor of his dead son and honor his wife by protecting her from the pain of a murder trial.  The short story begins in a convoluted manner where the reader is still confused as to who belongs to what family and who exactly does Matt intend to kill.  This mysterious and twisted development could be said to represent Matt's conscience as he himself grapples with his dead son and wanting retribution (as an honor and tradition) for the murder.  Matt and Willis plot and commit to the murder of Strout with the reader being further surprised at the end that the wife knew all along.  The wife listened to Matt tell the timeline of the murder and accepted the need for the action as an act of honor while Matt himself felt distant and cut-off from his own actions.  

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