By William Faulkner
While reading the above short story, the word “deputation” was new to me. Reading the sentence did not help me define or narrow a meaning of the word. “Deputation”, a noun, means “the act of appointing a person or person to represent or act for another or others”. The sentence can be found on page 90, and reads as; “A deputation waited upon her, knocked at the door through which no visitor had passed since she ceased giving china-painting lessons eight or ten years earlier.”.
Reading the sentence, “a deputation”, reflects an object to me once I first read it. Then as the story unfolded it made more sense as to the true meaning involving a noun. Emily, did indeed, need someone to assist her in her decisions related to her relationship and finances. Emily did not choose to pursue this option; instead she took matters into her own hands and did not allow anyone to become involved in her life in any way. She was hiding within her home, her identity and a secret. Many words written and used in the 1930’s are truly different than what we read today.
Works Cited
Faulkner, William. "A Rose for Emily." Literature. Ninth ed. New York: Longman, 2009. 89-94. Print.
Roberts, Edgar V. ""A Rose for Emily"" Literature. Ninth ed. 89-95. Print.
Definition of "deposition"
“deputation.” Dictionary. Com Unabridged. Source location: Random House, Inc. 21 Feb. 2011
