A Rose for Emily Summary 8
“ A Rose for Emily” In “A Rose for Emily,” we truly found out how strange Emily became as story went on, and how she lived a life that was secretive and hideous until the day she died. William Faulkner’s skillful use of words and time allows much insight into the life of Miss Emily without ever hinting at her struggle with death. Faulkner’s reference to the Old South and his unconventional plot lures his readers to places he wants them to be, giving them just enough to keep them in suspense. He uses subtle clues to foreshadow a ghastly outcome. References to smell, decay, and Miss Emily’s corpse like appearance all guide his readers to the climatic end’s ultimate irony.
In choosing a simple town folk as his narrator Faulkner keeps intimacy at bay. The people in Emily’s community saw her as the recluse on the hill, and would not be aware of everything occurring in her life. This would allow Faulkner his ending. Anyone closer to Emily, say for instance Toby, would know too much, and how would this cause the readers to know to much. Faulkner’s anachronistic plot sets the reader up for he changes that occur and does not allow for a normal chain of events.
Depending on ones culture and background of a reader one may point out different purposes that Faulkner might have had for writing this story. Some may say that this is a story of rebellion. Was Emily rebelling against her father’s iron will by having a “sorbid” love affair with a Yankee? Was Emily rebelling against a town that held her confined to social graces and obligations? Others may say that this is a story that hints at North and South. Homer would represent the North, the Yankee of lower stature, while Emily would be an aristocrat of the South. Yet others may decide that the story is speaking to those desperately trying to cling to the old South. Closer analysis may indicate that “A Rose for Emily” is a story about time and fallen monuments.
Miss Emily was a great figure of her town, an aristocrat.
In choosing a simple town folk as his narrator Faulkner keeps intimacy at bay. The people in Emily’s community saw her as the recluse on the hill, and would not be aware of everything occurring in her life. This would allow Faulkner his ending. Anyone closer to Emily, say for instance Toby, would know too much, and how would this cause the readers to know to much. Faulkner’s anachronistic plot sets the reader up for he changes that occur and does not allow for a normal chain of events.
Depending on ones culture and background of a reader one may point out different purposes that Faulkner might have had for writing this story. Some may say that this is a story of rebellion. Was Emily rebelling against her father’s iron will by having a “sorbid” love affair with a Yankee? Was Emily rebelling against a town that held her confined to social graces and obligations? Others may say that this is a story that hints at North and South. Homer would represent the North, the Yankee of lower stature, while Emily would be an aristocrat of the South. Yet others may decide that the story is speaking to those desperately trying to cling to the old South. Closer analysis may indicate that “A Rose for Emily” is a story about time and fallen monuments.
Miss Emily was a great figure of her town, an aristocrat.