Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily- is a short story about Emily Grierson, a woman stuck in the past and working to overcome what she thought were the biggest struggles of her life. Grierson's inability to deal with life and the issues that come along with it cause her to completely cut off the outside world, lead a private life and keep to herself in the home of her deceased father. Because so many of the townspeople had complaints about Emily, her home, and her lifestyle, it caused many problems to arise for her throughout the story. Although much of the community never thought Emily was "crazy-, it was quite obvious that she was very troubled and suffering from some sort of mental disability or disorder. Because of the circumstances she faced in her life, she had problems letting go of the things that she was scared to be without.
Faulkner introduces the reader to the first of many issues that plague Emily in the beginning of the story. This, like many problems, was an issue that arose from her past. Emily grew up in a home of wealth and privilege. So wealthy, they said, that her father could afford to help the community immensely. The town was indebted to him and exempted him from paying taxes. Many years passed, and new officials came into authority in the town. The officials could find no records that Emily should be exempt from paying her taxes, and they visited her, attempting to collect the money. Just like the many times before, she refused to pay them and moved on from the situation. She felt entitled and did not understand why they did not see her as such. There was another instance when the town's people would talk of a horrible smell coming from Emily's home. They pleaded with the judge to make her take care of the smell. The judge decided it was best to take matters into his own hands and used limes in the cellar and around her property, and eventually the smell went away.