The civil war and reconstruction were times of distress and embarrassment for the south. The north left the south in economic, political, and cultural disarray. This brought about great change for the United States, and southern culture. Northern influence during reconstruction is what helped shape the United States into what it is today. The effects from reconstruction are still lingering, haunting the moral of southerners. William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" is a short story that is placed in the post-civil war reconstruction era. It tells a story of a woman named Emily who becomes a recluse after her father dies and leaves her their gothic style home in Mississippi. Emily falls in love with a man from the north who comes down south to work on the reconstruction. Although the story seems simple enough, there are some crucial aspects to the story that may go unnoticed without proper background knowledge or research on the subject matter. From research on the history of southern culture, reconstruction, and Federal land policy, readers will have a better understanding of some of the things in this story such as setting, theme, and overall plot. Specifically, from two sources stemming from the same journal. "Federal Land Policy in the South" and "One Hundred Year of Reconstruction of the South" from The Journal of Southern History are two sources that provide information that is important to know when considering the setting and theme of the story. Outside resources and research are important to "A Rose for Emily" as they provide background knowledge which provides for a deeper understanding of the story.

In the journal "One Hundred Years of Reconstruction of the South" A. B. Moore outlines the struggles and humiliation felt by the south following the civil war as reconstruction began. Moore describes the platform for reconstruction that the north held for the south in which they intended to destroy the southern culture, economy, and political presence in the United States. From the war, the north gained increased influence in the southern states. This brought about great change. Some saw reconstruction as the norths way of imposing gods will to help build rebuild the south to form a more centralized America (One Hundred Years of Reconstruction of the South). Although reconstruction was meant to renew the south, it has left long lasting effects on the south and national history. The war left the south in shambles, economically. Moore writes, "While the South lost its debts, it had to pay its full share of the northern debts which amounted to about four-fifths of the total northern war expenses" (One Hundred Years of Reconstruction of the South). This information can be useful when identifying the economical position that Emily from "A Rose for Emily" was placed in post-war. Reconstruction also put the southern political influence in the gutter. Never again would the south be able to retain the political influence that it held before the civil war. During reconstruction, northern educators and preachers relocated to the south the help influence the culture with northern ideals. Likewise, northern workers were sent to work on the reconstruction process. Northern influence in education and religion along with the freedom of slaves ultimately caused the downfall of the southern culture. Moore's journal helps the way I shaped my understanding of the story "A Rose for Emily". The source provides quite a bit of information which gives readers an increased knowledge and background on the subject matter for Faulkner's short story.  

In addition, in "A Rose for Emily", the setting is very important to the story. Therefore, in order to fully understand the story, readers must have a solid background knowledge on the reconstruction era in U.S. history. From the information given in "One Hundred Years of Reconstruction", many aspects of the story such as setting, characters, and themes are easily understood. For example, Faulkner writes, "The construction company came with riggers and mules and machinery, and a foreman name Homer Barron, a Yankee" (Faulkner 229). This is significant because without prior research on reconstruction, it would be difficult to understand why Faulkner made a point to characterize Homer as a northerner. Also, there is a theme of change or reform. Likewise, reconstruction was about reforming the south after the civil war. Northerners intended to change the culture of the south. It could be difficult to find the reason for this theme without knowing what reconstruction was about. Being familiar with the effects, and intentions of reconstruction helps to understand the theme of reform. The information proposed in the journal "One Hundred Years of Reconstruction of the South" is important to the story because it enables readers to understand the importance of the setting, characters, and theme. Lastly, the setting plays a major role in "A Rose for Emily". Set in a fictional town, Jefferson, Mississippi is undergoing the plan that the north had in mind for reconstruction. Research gives significance to the setting of the story. Through research on the reconstruction period in U.S. history, it is easy to perceive the significance of certain aspects of "A Rose for Emily" such as setting, characters, and themes.

Similar to research on reconstruction, research of land policies following the civil war is supplemental to the story "A Rose for Emily". The journal "Federal Land Policy in the South" gives information on the policies enacted that suppressed the southern states and their ability to retain their land. Valuable information that can be used to better understand the short story is found in this journal. Paul Gates explains in this journal that a lot of land in the south was federal public land. There was five states which held this federal public land. Mississippi is one of these states. Most northern radicals insisted that the federal government restrict public land entry to those who remained loyal to the union when the civil war arose. Also, they saw the public land as an opportunity for freedmen and homesteaders to move to. This would allow them to start a new life and work to break the impoverished cycle that they and their ancestors were once a part of. Later on, the Southern Homestead Act was adopted by the U.S. which provided that the lands in the five southern states should not be subject to entry only by homesteaders and for a period of 2 years. Until 1867, only citizens whose loyalty had been unquestioned during the civil war could make entries (Federal Land Policy in the South 1866-1888). This ultimately led to the delayed recovery of the south and prevented land monopoly. 

Furthermore, this source is good for understanding Faulkner's story. From the journal "Federal Land Policy in the South 1866-1888", the information presented helps to shape and influence readers to find meaning of the setting and the overall plot of the story. Research from this journal also explains how difficult of a time it was for landowners and also those looking to become landowners in the south. In comparison, Faulkner writes, "When her father died, it got about that the house was all that was left to her; and in a way, people were glad. At least they could pity Miss Emily" (Faulkner 229). The land and the home were given to Miss Emily and the town began to evaluate the payments and taxes that Emily pays for this land and home. This causes an issue with the authorities of Jefferson and Emily. Later on when the authorities confront Emily she exclaims "See Colonel Sartoris. I have no taxes in Jefferson" (Faulkner 227). This causes dispute between Emily and the town of Jefferson which is a problem that can relate to the change in land policies and Emily's loss of wealth following the civil war. So, from the research done in "Federal Land Policy in the South" the readers of Faulkner's short story "A Rose for Emily" can better understand the difficulties that Miss Emily was facing during this time of reconstruction regarding her land and wealth. The plot of this story is better understood with background research involving land development and division in the south during the reconstruction era. 

The short story "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner is story that is easier understood with proper research and a strong background on the Reconstruction era. Faulkner incorporates ideals and things that happened during reconstruction into his story through setting, themes, and even the overall plot itself. There are two specific sources that help shape readers understanding of the story through research. One of these sources is "One Hundred Years of Reconstruction in the South" which gives a deeper knowledge into the setting and one of the major themes of change in the story. Likewise, the source "Federal Land Policy in the South" can help shape the way readers see the overall plot and it could lend aid in deciphering the overall plot of the story. From extensive research on the subject of Reconstruction, readers of Faulkner's short story gain a better interpretation of the story itself. 

