Analysis of “A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner
In the short story of William Faulkner, “A Rose for Emily,” William uses symbols, character development settings, and other literary devices to talk about the life of Emily and also the behavior of people of Jefferson toward her. The audience learns the history of Emily as much as Jefferson’s City stranger would learn nearly her past; the story reveals that Miss Emily has passed away, and people living in the town having bad rumor and extraordinary life. The events that William talks about are related thematically to the story.
The title of the narrative serves as the first hint of symbolism in the short story. A rose is usually used to show love. The case in the story by Homer it means respect for Emily. The father of Emily was a man who was extremely good to his daughter. Use this situation, Emily only experienced love when she met Homer. A rose as well as symbolizes silence. Interpretation is made where Homer was as well a rose to Emily (Faulkner, pp. 189). Homer was highly cherished and loved by Emily. Many women usually dry roses to keep them forever. Emily was understood to be distorted and out.
The home, shared by Emily and her father, which she eventually inherits, is symbolic in her innermost condition. The story opens where the house is fresh and had vibrant walls painted white and clean. Miss Emily, as well as bright and vibrant in the youth stage whom she was pure. Her father protected her purity by turning away all men whom he thinks they do not measure up the standards of Emily. The house becomes dirty as the story progresses, foul and smelly. Emily has grown older and her good spirits have deranged. Emily’s sexuality is shown in her hair in the story as a symbol after the death of her father.
The criticism starts in the early twentieth century, where American became more industrial
ized and was called the New South. “Conlon Sartoris was trying not to embarrass Miss. Emily and comes up with an elaborate description of Jefferson’s pre-Civil War dues to the Griersons, but also this man, had created a law that any African American Woman who was found on the streets of Jefferson not wearing an apron would be beaten.” (Dobie, pp.205) To not seem as if the townspeople are giving charity to Miss Emily for the lessons of Chinese painting. A significant change in Jefferson’s attitude towards Miss Emily’s relationship with Homer as a working man who was from the North who did not approve the relationship between the couple, but later saw was a necessity.
In conclusion, the central symbolism passes through Emily A Rose. The subject of analogy is the importance of leaving behind the past. Miss Emily is not keen to be self-sufficient, so she is clinging back to her past. The Old South becomes the New South beside her, and that she cannot make any headway. Symbolism contributed profoundly to the development of concepts throughout the story. Besides, a form of fall amongst Emily’s father and also the entire family over the real estate has occurred, and Emily concludes that selfless love even among close relatives is not guaranteed. This keeps her to learn Emily about love only with her dad.
Works cited.
Faulkner, William, John Carradine, and Anjelica Huston. A rose for Emily. Paderborn, De: Verlag F. Schöningh, 2012 pg. 180-190.
Dobie, Ann B. Theory into practice: An introduction to literary criticism. Cengage Learning, 2011 pg. 201-206