Many people agree that the period of chivalry was probably the most interesting and fascinating. The word chivalry is mainly associated with knights and is usually described as institution of knighthood. It is also believed that chivalry presupposes such traits as courtesy, valor and generosity. It also presupposes helping the weak (such as women and children). It is clear that nowadays the concept of chivalry has become archaic. However, its examples may be still found in fiction and in modern life. For example, William Faulkner in his work “A Rose for Emily” and James Joyce in his work “Araby” depict the concept of chivalry in modern times paying attention to its advantages and disadvantages.
In his work “A Rose for Emily” Faulkner clearly touches the theme of chivalry. In his story he depicts a woman, Miss Emily, who definitely belonged to a different era and couldn't adjust herself to modern time values and beliefs. She was born in the Old South and knew everything about formal manners and traditions. Indeed, the Old South is known as an era of proper manners. At this time ladies were taught how to dress right, how to talk and behave right in public. Miss Emily had a very strict father who controlled her and taught her all these values. He made all the decisions for her daughter and never allowed her do anything on her own. Till his death he didn't let Miss Emily become independent.
It should be also noted that Miss Emily followed all the manners she was taught till the very end of her life. In fact, she became a symbol of tradition. No wonder after her death people thought of her being a monument. Thus, after her death the men of the town went to the funeral “through a sort of respectful affection for a fallen monument” (Faulkner). From these words it becomes clear that all the citizens of the town associated Miss Emily with old traditions that were old fashioned and no longer existed. In order to show this, Faulkner claims, “Alive, Miss Emily had been a tradition, a duty, and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation upon the town” (Faulkner).
Unfortunately, but Miss Emily’s example shows that chivalry may have not only benefits but also drawbacks. This situation happened to Miss Emily. She knew everything about generosity, nobleness and proper manners. However, it was extremely hard for the lady to adjust herself to modern ideas and to a new generation. It is possible to say that to a certain extent the woman became an archaic person. Moreover, the values and manners she was taught were hardly useful in modern life. The chivalry values she used to know were already outdated. For example, she was asked to pay taxes, but she never did as her father invested a great sum of money in the town and had a deal with Colonel Sartoris (who, in fact, had been dead for ten years). That is why she repeatedly claimed that she shouldn't pay taxes. When she needed to write a letter, the lady used a paper “of an archaic shape, in a thin, flowing calligraphy in faded ink, to the effect that she no longer went out at all”. (Faulkner). Because of her living in a totally different century, Miss Emily suffered a lot. She didn't belong to the society she was living in. It is also possible to state that she confused past and present. The woman was lonely and miserable. She used to date a man, named Homer Barron, but one day he disappeared and no one has ever seen him again. Only when Miss Emily died, Homer’s dead body was lying in her house.
All in all, in seems that Miss Emily refused to accept changes in her life. For instance, when her father died the lady refused to accept this truth. Thus, when people came to her house in order to share her grief, she was constantly repeating that her father was alive. In fact, “she did that for three days, with the ministers calling on her, and the doctors, trying to persuade her to let them dispose of the body” (Faulkner). So, just as with the death of her father, she refused to accept the death of chivalry and old traditions. The woman simply refused to accept the present and new life.
It is worth considering that the story has a rather tragical ending. Her example shows that the era of chivalry is no longer appropriate for modern time. Miss Emily definitely belonged to the past when strict manners were number one concern for people. This lady was definitely a symbol of tradition and past. That is the main reason why after her death people compared her to a fallen monument. Her story shows the most obvious drawback of chivalry –it has already gone. Of course, institution of knighthood and noble traits such as valor or generosity were extremely important and highly valued during the chivalry era. However, it should be noted that the world is developing and changing. Every society has a certain set of values that should be followed. Therefore, it is important for all people be ready to adjust to them. It doesn't mean that people should forget about all the values that were used in the past. It means that they shouldn't leave in the past.
The theme of chivalry is also seen in James Joyce’s story “Araby”. The story is focused on an unnamed narrator, a young boy from Dublin. From the very beginning of the story he points out that he fell in love with Mangan’s sister. Thus, he states, “I had never spoken to her, except for a few casual words, and yet her name was like a summons to all my foolish blood. Her image accompanied me even in places the most hostile to romance” (Joyce). From these words it becomes clear that the boy had sweet and sincere feelings. Later on his love will be proved by his actions. Thus, one day the girl claims that she has no possibility to go to the Bazaar Araby. In his turn, the narrator promises his lady that he would go there and would by her a present. However, this idea has turned into a knight’s quest. Thus, on Saturday in the morning he reminds his uncle that he is going to the bazaar. The uncle promises the boy to give him money but he comes home from work late. Moreover, when he came to the station he had to face an intolerable delay of the train. As a result, he came to the bazaar late when most of the stalls were already closed. And, as soon as the boy wanted to buy something, he received an unpleasant welcome from the seller. Being generous and kind hearted, the boy wanted to please his lady and was ready to undergo this long journey. The character of the boy shows the best benefits of chivalry – courage, sense of purpose, care and attention. His character also shows the romantic part of chivalry. Unfortunately, but the narrator had to face harsh reality. No one cared about his desire to please his lady and make a good gesture. The protagonist is disillusioned by the world around. That is why, he states, “gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger” (Joyce). As a result, the narrator understood that everything he tried to do for the lady was in vain.
It is obvious that through the narrator’s character Joyce shows both advantages and disadvantages of chivalry. Speaking about advantages, it is possible to say that though chivalry is considered to be the term of Middle Ages, it still inspires such qualities as courage, honesty, care and respect for women. These are the qualities that the narrator of “Araby” possesses. Speaking about disadvantages of chivalry, one should understand that the world has changed a lot since Middle Ages. The whole set of entirely different traditions and beliefs has appeared. Moreover, the people have changed a lot as well. Women no longer wait for acts of bravery from their Knights. They are more independent and they have learn how to rely on themselves. The men no longer want to impress their ladies by showing their courage and bravery. These are the rules of modern world that the narrator had to understand.
Works cited
Faulkner, William. “A Rose for Emily”. Flipped Out Teaching. 1930. Web. 8 Feb. 2016
Joyce , James. “Araby”. Reddit. 1914. Web. 8 Feb. 2016
