Cultural Knowledge: The State of Faulkner's Criticism

(1). "If the conflict is between the two orders it seems curious indeed that Miss Emily would choose Homer Barron, Yankee, amoral, and without loyalty, as her beloved. And her murder of the new order, is the reverse of what actually happened... "(403)

(2). I'm guessing they are referring to the North as amoral because they are more progressive at this time and without loyalty because they were the opposing force against the south, old order.

(3). I was confused as to why Homer Barron is symbolic of the New Order as well as amoral and without loyalty. Since he is the "New Order" why would it be considered amoral and without loyalty? After researching there was evidence to support the fact that the disagreements between the folk culture of the south and the modern north fueled broad based reform movements (Salisbury,Kursten). This hatred between the two sides is what fuels negative opinions between the two sides. According to Salisbury and Kursten this dissension between the two halves caused feelings of jealousy, honor and regional pride (Salisbury,Kursten). The north was industrialized with more and more people working in factories  (Salisbury,Kursten). While the North was moving up and progressing there was still a high rate of crime and this is what the South saw when they saw the north (Salisbury,Kursten). They felt the north was filled with disdain and immorality because of the rising crime rates, open prostitution and unsavory living conditions of the working class (Salisbury, Kursten).

(4). Now the word choice of referring to Homer Barron as amoral makes sense coming from the point of view of Miss Emily, the old south who still has sovereignty embedded in her. There was clearly a natural dislike of the way of life between the north from the south. Not only is the word amoral coming out because there was dislike between the two sides but there was also the light that the south saw the north in. When they saw the north they did not think about opportunity and progress they saw what it brought with it. As I was reading this information I do not think that without loyalty has historical context when talking about Homer Barron but instead it has personal context. Emily has been alone for a long time and everyone that comes close to her goes away so naturally she believes they are all lacking loyalty which is why they referred to Homer Barron that way.

Salisbury, Joyce E. and Andrew E. Kersten. "Atlantic America: Overview." Daily Life through History. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 3 Mar. 2013.