William Faulkner narrates the story "Rose for Emily" in late 1800 about a conflict between Miss Emily and the town of Jefferson for not paying her taxes for years. The lonely life style of Miss Emily caused the town to intrude in the welfare of the fallen monument. .
Miss Emily's father Grierson loaned the town a sum of money and when he died, Emily with no trace of grief on her face told the people of Jefferson that her father is not dead. The people of Jefferson forced her to dispose the body after three days, which caused Miss Emily to break down. Some years later, the people of Jefferson sent Miss Emily a notice of past due taxes which she replied back with no comment on it. The city authorities went to Miss Emily's house to collect the taxes she refused to pay. The authorities say, "We are the city authorities, Miss Emily. Didn't you get the notice from the sheriff, signed by him? I received a paper, yes, Miss Emily said. Perhaps he considers himself a sheriff I have no taxes in Jefferson" (page 29). Emily does not believe that she owes the town of Jefferson because in reality, the town owed her family a loan, which they never talked about after her father's death. .
The narrator shows how bitter Miss Emily is with the town of Jefferson when she does not open her front door to visitors. The only sign of life in her house is the negro manservant that goes in and out with the market basket through the back door while the front door remains closed. The people of Jefferson are very curious to know what is going on with Miss Emily that makes her antisocial with them. They tried very hard to enter the house with the help of Judge Steven because of the smell that comes from Miss Emily's house. The judge knows that the people of Jefferson are curious to find out what is happening in Miss Emily's house. He told them that he would talk to the negro manservant about the smell and in spite of that promise the people of Jefferson took it on their own to enter the house and find the cause of the smell.