How Does A Rose For Emily Change

Post-civil war was an era of many changes. For example, when the North and South divided it caused a change in values based on location; women in the North had different values than women in the South. The role of women in the South influenced many decisions, and women were fighting for more suffrage and freedom. As women noticed a revolution they were determined to receive change; however, not everyone was fond of change. As a result, in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” Emily’s actions are dictated by setting, in the sense that she lives in the past and that she resists change.
It’s a father’s job to protect his daughter, but to what extent? Emily’s father has always been in control of her, and she has become so accustomed to her father’s
The townspeople described her looking as if she was sick. Coincidentally, the town begins to make changes and a new face pops into town, Homer Baron. Miss Emily begins to converse with Homer and later on they are seen around town with each other “driving in the yellow- wheeled buggy” (Charters). The use of vivid descriptions helps the reader understand the emotions. By saying that the buggy is yellow shows that Miss Emily is happy, as yellow is primarily a happy color. During her time of grieving Miss Emily let her guard down, which then opened a door for Homer. When Homer shows up it is as if Homer is a ray of yellow sunshine, making Miss Emily happy. Filling that hole that her father’s passing had left Homer begins to comfort Emily by spending time with her. He made Miss Emily feel as if everything was ok; “Homer as baron, in its regal sense, completes the line of succession coming from the father and the colonel” a critic states (Arensberg). Homer was a male figure to Emily; she believed that she could rely on him. As she became to feel more comfortable she began to shower him with gifts such as “a man’s toilet set in silver, with the letters H.B. on each piece…[and] a complete outfit of men’s clothing” (Charters). Emily has started to feel happy again and she loved that feeling. Being in the South, around this time period, many women felt that the need to constantly rely on a man, Miss Emily was one of those people. Relying on Colonel for her taxes being waived, relying on her father for taking care of her, and finally relying on Homer for her happiness. Emily could not let go of the feeling that she constantly needed