An individual's perspective outlook on the passing of time is determined by many variables. It seems that one of the most determining variables on the perception of time is age. A younger era is often focused upon the present and seems to look upon time as an involuntary progression, which is just beginning for them. These individuals, furthermore, look upon the past as a small and diminishing section of time. Older generations, however, look upon time as a blurred mix of the past and present. The recent times, furthermore, are only partially separated from the past to the older era. In "A Rose for Emily", William Faulkner shows the passage of eras by contrasting the new and past era characters and their beliefs. Through the characters of the Aldermen, townspeople, Homer Barron, Emily, and the house Faulkner is able to represent the passing of the torch from the old era to the new.
             Faulkner portrays the fallen past through the characters of Colonel Sartoris, the old Board of Aldermen, the manservant, and Emily herself. The new Board of Aldermen, the narrator, and Homer Barron represent the new era. These characters together help to present the contrast of the past and the present. For instance, the old Board of Aldermen accepted Colonel Sartoris's explanation to Emily and revoked any taxes placed upon her. The new board, however, "with its modern ideas" could find no evidence in the city books to support the claim of the Colonel so they go to Emily in demand for the payment of her taxes (362). She, however, denies the men's claims based upon the word of Colonel Sartoris. Emily, now stuck and dwelling upon the past, tells the men to "see Colonel Sartoris" (363). Emily is grounded in the past tradition and ways of the white supremacy's old south. She seems to imply that when the Colonel gave her his word that agreement knew no death. The new Aldermen, however, are focus...