A comparison is made between the main protagonists in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” and…
Katherine Anne Porter’s “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall”
The comparison of the two main characters, Emily Grierson and Ellen Weatherall, in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” and Katherine Anne Porter’s “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall,” highlights both similarities and differences. Although both characters were elderly (Emily 74, Ellen 80), hailed from the South, and experienced rejection by men, it is important to underscore that they were also incredibly strong-willed and obstinate. Nevertheless, beyond these shared traits, Emily Grierson and Ellen Weatherall showcased contrasting personalities. While they initially appear to possess fundamental similarities, their distinct reactions to changes and events in their lives demonstrate that they think, feel, and respond dissimilarly.
Their response to death…
Emily kept her father’s body in the house for three days after his death, denying to everyone that he had passed away. She insisted that he was still alive until finally agreeing to allow them to bury him. This behavior shows her difficulty in letting go of loved ones.
On the other hand, Ellen was able to bounce back after her husband’s death. She managed to care for herself and her children, while still mourning his passing. However, she found solace in her faith, which aided her in overcoming the loss.
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Their response to existence…
Emily Grierson, like many women of her time, depended on a man to handle typical household duties such as tax payments. Following her father’s passing, she had to depend on the kindness of Colonel Satoris to assist her in this matter. However, when confronted with the non-payment issue, she dismissively denied owing anything to anyone involved. Thus, she exploited her identity as an elderly woman to attempt avoiding her payment responsibilities.
Following the death of her husband John, Ellen was faced with a new and unfamiliar role. She had to take on traditionally male responsibilities like fencing, rounding up cattle, and riding cross country in winter. Despite these obstacles, she remained resolute and independent, choosing not to spend her money on unnecessary things.
They passed away in a particular manner…
The cause of death is not specified for these two women, but in both stories it is clear that Emily died alone. The people who came to her funeral were driven by their curiosity about her and her house. Furthermore, the only person who had been with her for nearly 25 years, a servant of African descent, left even before she was buried.
Meanwhile, Ellen’s children are providing her care as they have all come back home from different locations to be by her side. Those who loved her surrounded and supported her until the very end.
Their response to being abandoned…
While the author does not offer a thorough portrayal of Emily and Homer’s relationship, it can be inferred that he courted her but unexpectedly terminated their connection. This is apparent since Emily bought personal items for him, like a hairbrush and cufflinks, and also shared a bed with him.
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The woman’s refusal to bury her suitor’s corpse until her own death indicates an extreme form of attachment. His rejection may have pushed her further towards the edge she had already been teetering on since her father passed away. By buying arsenic from the druggist to kill him, it suggests she had planned it in advance. Additionally, her decision to keep his body on her bed after his death hints at the potential presence of insanity.
It can be argued that Ellen Weatherall’s jilting was more public and thus more humiliating, making her more justified in seeking revenge compared to Emily, whose jilting was private and subject to public speculation. However, Ellen managed to overcome her humiliation and went on to get married and have children. Although she may have occasionally felt regret over being left at the altar, it seemed that she genuinely loved her husband and children and wouldn’t have wanted her life to be any different. On the other hand, Emily Grierson remained unmarried and died alone.
One should be more cautious of women like Emily Grierson rather than Ellen Weatherall due to the dark and terrifying nature hidden beneath her seemingly prim and proper demeanor. Emily’s character is both vindictive and vengeful, causing Faulkner himself to express pity for her. In an interview, Faulkner stated, “but I pity Emily. I don’t know whether I would have liked her or not, I might have been afraid of her. Not of her, but of anyone who had suffered, had been warped, as her life had been probably warped by a selfish father . . . .” (qtd.in Jelliffe). In contrast, Ellen Weatherall is forgiving and handles events that occur in her life with ease.
Conclusively, “A Rose for Emily” portrays Emily as a decorative, useless, insane, and vengeful individual who remains perpetually adolescent or even childish. On the other hand, “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall” presents Ellen Weatherall as a complete contrast to Emily, as she is a productive member of society, a rational and practical individual, and forgives any past wrongs that have occurred.
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She possesses wisdom and a self-sacrificing attitude, approaching all challenges with maturity and acceptance.
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Works Cited
The book “Faulkner at Nagano” edited by Robert Jelliffe, was published in 1956 by Kenkyusha Ltd. The book includes pages 70-71.
Faulkner, William. “A Rose for Emily”. February 28, 2008.
