Through all the times famous and no famous writers have used the symbolism to take a message to the reader. Some of this symbolism comes out of our own life and experiences. According to Kilian Crawford we"re not conscious of our symbolic level, but it's there: in our characters, their actions, the setting, and the images. Some writers are very powerful symbolists, but don't realize it. The term Symbolism is defined by different way. The dictionary defines it as "the practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or relationships". The catholic encyclopedia defines it as "the investing of outward things or actions with an inner meaning". But in the story "A Rose for Emily" William Faulkner, the Nobel Prize-winning novelist and short story writer, uses symbolism to present in a tremendous form, the theme of deterioration of a great woman, our main character, Emily. .
The story start with a description about the Emily's house "squarish frame house decorated with cupolas and spires", with a great description Faulkner give us a relation between the house's deterioration and Emily deterioration. This house is described like an enormous house falling in parts, "only was Emily house was left, lifting its stubborn and coquettish decay". Emily is also a "fallen monument" like her house; she was a great being for the people of Jefferson. While the narration proceeds, the physical appearance of Emily denotes decaying, "she had grown fat and was turning gray". " During the next few years it grew grayer and grayer" by the using of description the author, tell us how Emily was deteriorated. From that time she is close on her house refusing change and to be associated with anything as new or common with herself and family. .
A curious character is the taxmen that represents a new generation and change. Emily demonstrated her power and authority in Jefferson town by defeated them and refusing to paid taxes.