American Literature

    Authors have historically used various literary works to reflect the societies in which their live. To this end,  the actions of characters in literary works reflect existing social concepts whereas the surrounding societys behavior  mirrors on specific characters behaviors. In essence, societies and communities are normally depicted as mutually affecting each other.  Notable cases of literary works in which such reciprocal interaction is demonstrated are the three short stories namely William Faulkners A Rose for Emily Flannery OConnors Good Country People and Toni Cade Bambaras The Lesson. To illustrate, through his A Rose for Emily story, Faulkner describes Emily Grierson as being negatively affected by her surrounding society. In turn, Emilys actions negatively impact of her compatriots.  Likewise, through the Good Country People story, OConnor  describes the character named Joy Hopewell  as negatively impacting on the people around her. Consecutively, the society in which Hopewell lives demonstrates an attitude that negatively affects her. In a similar version, Toni Cade Bambaras The Lesson story illustrates the character called Miss Moore being negatively affected by her surrounding society.  In response, Miss Moore demonstrates behaviors and attitudes that negatively impact on her compatriots. All in all, OConnor  - through  Good Country People - Faulkner  - through  A Rose for Emily  as well as Bambara  through The Lesson short stories - describe their protagonists as reciprocally affecting and being affected by their societies in a negative way. 

    For example, in Bambaras The Lesson story, Miss Moores condescending opinion towards her compatriots - especially the children with which she spends most of her time -  attracts disproval from the surrounding community. Consequently, both the children as well as the adults disrespect Miss Moore. For instance, Bambara notes that the grown-ups (talk) .. when . behind her back like a dog, thus showing utter disrespect for Miss Moore (). Moores irritatingly patronizing nature is evident when she looks at her students  like she readin tea leaves (). The author thus presents a picture of an individual and the surrounding society mutually affecting each other in a negative manner.

     Likewise, through the A Rose for Emily story, Faulkner shows that Emilys unbecoming behavior invites rude responses from her compatriots. For instance, Emily demonstrates impoliteness when she demonstrates stubbornness towards her societys pleas that she pays taxes. She even firmly removes the societys representatives from her house. Abruptly summoning Tobe - her manservant - Emily  instructs him to Show these gentlemen out (). In reaction, the society demonstrates  indifference towards her  as is evident from the narrators assertions that the society does not know of Emilys sickness. To this end, the narrator remarks We did not even know she was sick (). 

    Similarly, through his Good Country People story, OConnor depicts Joy Hopewell  as a character who demonstrates haughtiness towards her compatriots - notably  Mrs. Freeman and Hopewell s mother - the result being that she becomes painfully  alienated from her society. For example, because she is educated , Hopewell mocks all people around her as is evident from her remark that her mother is bloated, rude, and squint-eyed (). In reaction, society alienates  Hopewell , thus making her to beg her mother to wholesomely accept  her. A deeply remorseful Hopewell cries out  to the mother saying like I am take me ().

    In conclusion, the issue of individuals negatively reacting with their surrounding communities is clearly evident through the 3 stories, Good Country People,  The Lesson, as well as  A Rose for Emily. Good Country Peoples Hopewell suffers segregation due to her arrogant attitude towards her compatriots.  Likewise, A Rose for Emilys Emily suffers segregation due to her condescending view of her society. Lastly, The Lessons Miss Moores is disrespected by society owing to her attitude of viewing her compatriots as being unknowledgeable.