Introduction
William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” and Theodore Dreiser’s Sister Carrie are renowned literary works that tell two distinct stories. Faulkner’s short story centers on the mysterious and tragic life of Emily Grierson, a Southern woman who struggles with loneliness. In turn, Dreiser’s novel delves into the experiences of Carrie Meeber, who moves to a big city in pursuit of her American dream and her ambitions. While the settings differ, these literary works explore loneliness through the stories of their main characters.
Emily from Faulkner’s Short Story
The protagonist in “A Rose for Emily” spends her entire life feeling lonely and isolated from the rest of the world. From a young age, Emily’s father restricted her relationships with other men as he wanted a worthy partner for his daughter. This idea of alienation from others continues to affect Emily after her father’s death. Over time, she becomes increasingly isolated from the community, refusing to communicate with her neighbors or pay taxes. Faulkner draws a parallel between the old woman’s bloated, lifeless appearance and her large, wealthy house, which begins to decay and smell “of dust and disuse” after years of neglect (2).
As the story progresses, it becomes evident that Emily suffered from loneliness her entire life. As a young upper-class woman, she was not allowed to see other men. She was deeply affected by her father’s death and isolated herself from society even more. Finally, she lost her mind and killed the only man she loved to keep him forever. These events show that Emily’s deep need for love and recognition was never met, which contributed to her mental illness and tragic fate.
Carrie from Dreiser’s Novel
The main character in Sister Carrie has a different background from Emily’s but is also isolated from society. Carrie Meeber has an urge to change her life for the better and moves to Chicago chasing her American dream and materialistic ideals. She begins as a lower-class woman who struggles to meet her own needs and works hard to afford things. Carrie also has affairs in an attempt to have a better life and support herself in her materialistic dreams. Eventually, the woman becomes a well-paid actress, but the theme of alienation continues to surround her.
Throughout the novel, Dreiser emphasizes that Carrie felt isolated, as even when she achieved her goals and became successful, “she was lonely” (894). In fact, in a large, bustling city, this feeling of disconnection from everyone else is even more pronounced. Carrie’s life improves financially, but emotionally, she feels excluded from her surroundings. These feelings underscore the significance of existentialism in Carrier’s life and its impact on her sense of isolation.
Conclusion
To conclude, both “A Rose for Emily” and Sister Carrie portray two women suffering from feelings of loneliness. However, it is crucial to understand that the reasons behind this differ. Emily isolates herself from the rest of the world as a result of her father’s unrealistic expectations, disappointment in life, and a progressing mental illness. Her aristocratic background makes her feel special and leads her to reject others.
In turn, Carrie Meeber adopts a different strategy, aiming for success and fame. However, the higher she climbs, the more disconnected she feels from others, which worsens her existential perspective on life. Overall, both literary works are essential examples that demonstrate how disappointment with societal order and norms can contribute to one’s alienation and despair.
Works Cited
Faulkner, William. A Rose for Emily. Perfection Learning, 1990.
Dreiser, Theodore. Sister Carrie. The Floating Press, 2009.