The short story is set in Faulkner's fictional Mississippi town of Jefferson shortly after the Civil War (1870's). This little information provides resourceful insight to the values of the characters, and those of that time period, that justify how the plot unravels. Simply by understanding the time and place, we know that ultra conservatism was a dominant value upheld in the deep south where the remnants of slavery still existed after the war. This is supported in the text: "Colonel Satoris, the mayor--he who fathered the edict that no Negro woman should appear on the streets without an apron..." (Faulkner 521).
Also the Grierson's seemed to be a revered Southern family in the town of Jefferson. Although the townspeople claim that they "held themselves a little too high for what they really were," they are still fascinated (their curiosity provokes them to follow the Griersons personal lives). The Griersons fall into the category of the "high and mighty" Southern family, thus explaining their motivations, actions, and reactions throughout the story. Emily in particular takes on the role of the strong, impervious Southern woman, who tries to shield her emotions and broken heart from the criticisms of her neighbors. Her behavior towards the tax notices reveals her stubbornness to adapt to modern life and accept the changing times.
The setting of A Rose for Emily has a distinct cultural environment of an established post Civil War Southern town. The laid back approach to the legal issues, such as tax notices, starkly contrasts to that of North during this time. The Northern states were quick to establish modern values including that of legal responsibility and enforcement. Also the idea of a tight knit community where everyone keeps up with their neighbors' lives is characteristic of the South, whereas Northerners kept more to themselves and were preoccupied with other concerns.
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