A Rose For Emily
Haley Huntwork
AP English
28 August 2013
“A Rose for Emily” Plot/Structure The plot of “A Rose for Emily” separates from the structure of most short stories by not following the normal chronological order. William Faulkner uses flashbacks to give a better understanding of the internal conflict between the protagonist, Miss Emily, and society. The nonlinear plot structure of “A Rose for Emily” gives life to the story and creates a different way of comprehending the narrative by keeping the reader confused on what exactly is happening. Faulkner begins the first section in present time, giving a recap of Emily’s life as the local townspeople attend her funeral. The funeral is held at her home, which no one had entered for over ten years, drawing the entire town to attend. The second section uses flashback, describing a time thirty years early, when Emily refused an official inquiry when the townspeople detect a powerful odor coming from her property. This all occurred after her father’s death and the man who people believed Emily would marry, disappeared. The town community begin to pity Emily, recalling when her aunt went insane. Another flashback occurs in section three, recounting when Miss Emily first began seeing the man people believe she would marry, Homer Barron. As their relationship continues, the sections ends with Emily goes to the drug store to purchase arsenic. In section four, Faulkner describes the reactions of Emily buying arsenic. Many believed that she was going to use the poison to kill herself, making her possible marriage to Homer seem unlikely. The women of the town insist that the Baptist Minister talk some sense into Emily; he does, never speaking of what happened but refusing to go back their again. His wife writes to Emily’s cousins who come for a extended stay. Emily purchases a toilet with Homer’s initial which ignites rumors that the couple’s marriage was back on. Homer is absent from town, believed to be preparing
AP English
28 August 2013
“A Rose for Emily” Plot/Structure The plot of “A Rose for Emily” separates from the structure of most short stories by not following the normal chronological order. William Faulkner uses flashbacks to give a better understanding of the internal conflict between the protagonist, Miss Emily, and society. The nonlinear plot structure of “A Rose for Emily” gives life to the story and creates a different way of comprehending the narrative by keeping the reader confused on what exactly is happening. Faulkner begins the first section in present time, giving a recap of Emily’s life as the local townspeople attend her funeral. The funeral is held at her home, which no one had entered for over ten years, drawing the entire town to attend. The second section uses flashback, describing a time thirty years early, when Emily refused an official inquiry when the townspeople detect a powerful odor coming from her property. This all occurred after her father’s death and the man who people believed Emily would marry, disappeared. The town community begin to pity Emily, recalling when her aunt went insane. Another flashback occurs in section three, recounting when Miss Emily first began seeing the man people believe she would marry, Homer Barron. As their relationship continues, the sections ends with Emily goes to the drug store to purchase arsenic. In section four, Faulkner describes the reactions of Emily buying arsenic. Many believed that she was going to use the poison to kill herself, making her possible marriage to Homer seem unlikely. The women of the town insist that the Baptist Minister talk some sense into Emily; he does, never speaking of what happened but refusing to go back their again. His wife writes to Emily’s cousins who come for a extended stay. Emily purchases a toilet with Homer’s initial which ignites rumors that the couple’s marriage was back on. Homer is absent from town, believed to be preparing