"A Rose for Emily" Internet Activity

Assignment:

Write a Guide to Late-Nineteenth-Century Etiquette

In William Faulkner's story "A Rose for Emily," the people of Jefferson observe behavior by Emily Grierson that they consider to be strange. What makes Emily's behavior seem so strange to them is the importance that was placed on proper social behavior in late-nineteenth-century America.

During the Victorian Age, the period in which much of "A Rose for Emily" takes place, people from prominent families like Emily's were expected to observe proper etiquette, or rules of social behavior. Society placed great importance on manners and appearances during this period. It would have been considered shameful to behave improperly, yet also impolite to criticize another person's behavior.

Use the following key words to search the Web and find out more about the rules governing upper-class social behavior in late-nineteenth-century America. Then, use the information you gather to write a brief guide to late-nineteenth-century etiquette. Post this Guide to your Glogster page.

Key Words:

etiquette, nineteenth century
Victorian manners in America
Victorian Age, etiquette, America

To help guide your research, look to answer the following questions:

What would be some examples of proper and improper social behavior in the late nineteenth century?
What were some of the rules governing attire and personal grooming during this period?
What did it mean to "call" and to be "received" in a late-nineteenth-century home?

When you have completed your research, narrow down your findings into a list of rules regarding social conduct, and then write your guide. Present your guide as a list of "dos and don'ts" for ladies and gentlemen in social situations. For example, you might explain what is polite and impolite to do when receiving guests.


Include a brief introduction to your etiquette guide in which you explain that concern about etiquette and appearance was a source of great social pressure in the Victorian Age. Explain why someone like Emily Grierson might have chosen to stay out of public life.



Tips for an Effective Internet Search:

~Be aware that Search engines present pages in descending order of relevancy; the most useful pages will be at the top of the list.

~To help determine whether the Web page is a reputable source, note the URL endings. Sites ending in .edu are maintained by educational institutions, sites ending in .gov are maintained by government agencies, sites ending in .org are maintained by nonprofit organizations, and sites ending in .com are commercially or personally maintained.

~Be sure to respect copyrighted material.

For more help using the Web, see the Handbook at the back of your textbook.