"A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner is set in a small Southern town during the post-Civil War era. The story revolves around the protagonist, Miss Emily Grierson, and the peculiar, tragic events of her life. In the aftermath of her father's death, which Emily refuses to acknowledge, she meets a Yankee, Homer Barron, and falls in love with him. When Homer tries to leave her, she poisons him and keeps his body in her bed. It is not until the end of the story when Emily dies, that her murderous act is discovered. Emily can be described as a round, static character; she is a complex and well-developed character with the inability to change. It is this static quality that helps to define Emily's character as being a proud, stubborn, reclusive woman hopelessly clinging onto the ways of the Old South.
One of Emily's most noticeable character traits is pride, which is revealed largely through the unnamed narrator's comments and descriptions. Faulkner writes, " the Griersons held themselves a little too high for what they really were" (90). This statement explains the attitude Emily possesses: belonging to a privileged family, she demands and consequently receives high respect from the town's citizens. However, by showing interest in Homer, a common day laborer, Emily does not adhere to the obligations that her birth rank requires of her. By ignoring the comments of the town people and continuing to see Homer, Emily shows her feeling of superiority. Even after Homer left Emily, the narrator describes that "she carried her head high enough [. . .] it was as if she demanded more than ever the recognition of her dignity as the last Grierson" (91). Faulkner writes, "the two female cousins were even more Grierson the Miss Emily had ever been" (92). In this instance he uses the name Grierson to portray someone as being haughty and arrogant. Emily's pride is a major contributor to her inability to change.
William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily- describes the journey through the life of a civil war hero's daughter. ... Like a rose, Emily's life is pruned and nurtured by her father, Homer, and town. ... However, he only creates thorns in Emily's life. ... This reluctance is the first indicator of Emily's insanity. ... This life changing experience slowly turns Emily from a beautiful rose to a wilted rose. ...
A Rose for Emily as a Metaphor for Life Life is fickle and most people will be a victim of circumstance and the times. ... The "Rose" for Emily, Faulkner talks about in the title of this fictitious story could be found in the tomb like bedroom she created, which wasn't found till Emily's death. "Upon the valance curtains of faded rose color, upon the rose-shaded light" (223). These rose colored items gave the room an artificial rose like color. ... Everything in this room was Emily's rose, locked away for keeping, so she would not be left alone....
William Faulkner: "A Rose for Emily" In "A Rose for Emily," William Faulkner's use of imagery sets a tone for the general theme of the story, death. ... In this story, we see Emily much like the rose, an object of beauty and desire that soon begins to wither and die. Faulkner, through great use of imagery, paints a vivid of a dying rose, Miss Emily. ... At this point in her life Emily is like the blossoming rose. ... Then Emily, like a revitalized rose, then springs forth again. ...
Robertson 1 Nicole Robertson Elaine Walden English 102 10 September 2001 A life of increasing Dementia in William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" A compelling story of a young woman's life by William Faulkner in a "A Rose for Emily". ... William Falkner uses setting, foreshadowing and characterization of Emily to trace Miss Emily's increasing dementia. ... "A Rose for Emily"(557) tells the tale of a young woman who lives and abides by her father's strict rational. ... Emily's inner character wil...
An Analysis of "A Rose for Emily" In William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily", the role of the community plays a major part in the story. ... In "A Rose For Emily", Miss Emily is greatly respected by the community; everyone in town knows about Miss Emily. ... "A Rose for Emily" is a perfect name for this story. Homer Barron was Emily's rose. ... The community is the narrator of "A Rose for Emily". ...
"A Rose for Emily" has all the ingredients of an interesting story which makes it so special. While writing "A Rose for Emily," Faulkner decided to use flashbacks in time to foreshadow the surprising ending. ... The setting for "A Rose for Emily" was set in a small post civil war town that has not yet adjusted to the progress of the war. ... Emily's father was very secure and close to Emily. ... Homer was a laborer and Emily was a homebody. ...
Paper 1: "A Rose for Emily" "A Rose for Emily" takes place in the post Civil War era. Emily lived with her father before he diede in a large house. ... Emily feared being alone. ... After this Emily was rarely seen and hardly left her house. ... Faulkners use of characterization, narration, foreshadowing, and symbolism really makes "A Rose for Emily" an interesting and appealing short story. ...
Faulkner salutes Emily in his title by offering her a rose. ... Since roses most commonly stand for love, Faulkner gives Emily a rose in the title to show that he is the only one who has any love for Emily. ... This was Faulkner's method of giving Emily a rose. ... Therefore, the rose given to Emily by Faulkner becomes her only love. ... The rose in the title can be symbolic of the monument that the town made of Emily. ...
English 232 "A Rose for Emily" As any reader can see, " A Rose for Emily" is one of the most authentic short stories by Faulkner. ... Several other characters in "A Rose for Emily" are set in opposition to Emily. ... In "A Rose for Emily" Miss Emily actually symbolized a remembrance of values and sins of the townspeople's ancestors. ... In the title "A Rose for Emily" many have ask "What does the Rose stand for?" ... Finally, the effect of "A Rose for Emily" is one that is positive and enjoyable. ...
"A Rose for Emily" As any reader can see, " A Rose for Emily" is one of the most authentic short stories by Faulkner. ... In the title "A Rose for Emily" many have ask "What does the Rose stand for?" ... "A Rose for Emily." ... "A Rose for Emily." ... "A Rose for Emily." ...
