In the famous short story "A Rose for Emily-, William Faulkner effectively incorporates symbolism to recount the shift from the old South to the newly reconstructed South that was emerging. The symbolic aspects are the heart and soul of the story and give it meaning. The story's main focus is on old Emily Grierson, from the Southern city of Jefferson, who is not able to accept the transition from the post Civil War South to the newly reconstructed South. As a matter of fact, the story reveals a more puzzling situation that is taking place. The essence of the story is that Emily Grierson does not acknowledge nor understand that her environment and the people that live there have changed. Incidentally, she is unable to ameliorate as the rest of the society does. Even though she was recognized as a recluse, she was a reminder of the tradition and morale that was alive in the 1870's. Understanding that, the townspeople had tried on occasion to incorporate onto her the new standards. Incidentally, the townspeople could not adjust to her obsession with her past and she, in turn, could not accept their vision of a new Jefferson. Faulkner illustrates to the reader how the events, attitudes and era are important to the story, but they are symbolic to American life in the South in that time.
William Faulkner presents a number of significant symbolic figures in the story. The one of most importance is none other than Emily Grierson. It is so, because, she symbolizes "the postbellum South which inherited the monstrous code of values, glossed over by fine words about honor and glory- (Madden 1988). Being part of the privileged aristocracy, she was proud of the status that her family name upheld; plantation owners, wealthy, high class and respected by all the towns people. Anyhow, it was evident to her that this era was fading and her life as well. The narrator, who is a representative of the townspeople, informs the reader that "She carried her head high enough "even when we believed that she was fallen.
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." ...
