In William Faulkner's, "A Rose for Emily," and Edgar Allan Poe's "Ligeia," the past strikes upon the present and creates an unending battle for the characters. In Faulkner's " A Rose for Emily," the main character, Emily does not have the desire to live her life through the present. She lives her life through the past and is happier that way. In Poe's, "Ligeia," the narrator, who remains unnamed throughout the story, does have the desire to move on with his life after his wife, Ligeia, dies. However, he can't find the power to do so, and as a result, his life is permanently damaged and he can't find a way to get on with his life and live through the present. The past of each person sets the stage for the character development, and helps us understand the present form in which they have become.
             In William Faulkner's, "A Rose for Emily", the past is contrasted with the present era. Miss Emily, Colonel Sartoris, the Board of Alderman, and the old Negro Servant are represented as the past. The Yankee Homer Baron and the new Board of Alderman, and "the next generation with its more modern ideas" (Faulkner 667) represent the present. Emily lives completely in the past. One example of this is when the new Board of Aldermen comes to her house to collect her taxes. "I have no taxes in Jefferson. Colonel Sartoris explained to me." (Faulkner 668) Colonel Sartoris has been dead for at least ten years, yet Emily is referring to him as the reason why she does not have to pay taxes. She also tells them to go see Colonel Sartoris if they don't believe her. She insists that he is still alive. She refuses to acknowledge the fact that he is dead, just like she did with her father.
             When Emily's father dies, it is almost like she has her own freedom. She could begin to date who ever she wanted without her father chasing them...