Analysis of A Rose for Emily

            
             In the poem "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner Emily has a real hard time dealing with her father's death and her lover. Emily did not have the individual confidence, or maybe self-esteem and self-worth, to believe that she could stand alone and succeed at life especially when her life keeps changing. She has always been ruled by, and depended on, men to protect, defend and act for her. From her Father to Homer Barron she was dependent on men her whole life. The few flashes of individuality showed her ability to rise to the occasion, to overcome her dependency, when the action was the only solution available, like buying the poison.
             Life is sad and tragic; some of which is made for us and some of which we make ourselves. Emily had a hard life. Everything that she loved left her. Her father probably impressed upon her that every man she met was not good enough for her. The townspeople even talked about her when her father died and talked about how "The house was all that was left to her; and in a way, people were glad being left alone. She had become humanized" (1350). This sounds as if her father's death was sort of a relief for Emily. In a way it was, she could begin to date and date men of her choice and liking. Her father couldn't chase them off any more. Now since the passing of her father unfortunately, for Emily she became home bound. She didn't socialize much. Faulkner describes Emily and her family as a high social class. Emily did carry herself with dignity and people gave her that respect based on fear of what Emily could do to them. Emily was a strong willed person especially when she went into the drug store for the arsenic. She said "I want arsenic" (1351). All along, the druggist wanted to know what she wanted it for and she answered back "I want the best you have. I don't care what kind" (1351). Needless to say, the druggist never got an answer. The druggist gave Emily poison out of fear and respect.