Introduction: “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
“A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner, published in 1930, quickly captivated readers for its setting, characters and thematic strands. Set in the fictional Mississippi town of Jefferson, the story centers on Emily Grierson, a mysterious Southern belle whose life and death become an obsession for the townspeople. Faulkner’s masterful use of non-linear storytelling explores themes of tradition, societal change, and the decay of the Old South, solidifying “A Rose for Emily” as a lasting contribution to American literature.
Main Events in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
- Emily faces her father’s death; her actions shock the community. Emily’s denial of her father’s passing leads her to keep his body within her home for three days, and upon finally releasing the body for burial, she descends into a life of isolation.
- Years later, Emily challenges the established order. When town officials attempt to collect taxes, Emily not only refuses but insists the town remains indebted to her. Her defiance is mirrored in her seclusion; she rarely ventures from her home, a notable exception being her unsettling purchase of arsenic.
- A new generation questions Emily’s past as a mysterious romance unfolds. Intrigued by her enigmatic history, the town’s youth fixate on her relationship with Homer Barron, a Northern laborer. Their frequent sightings together incite whispers of an engagement.
- Emily’s arsenic purchase fuels the townspeople’s fears. Her acquisition of the poison strengthens their belief that she intends suicide, yet no tragedy occurs, and her withdrawn existence continues.
- Homer’s disappearance ignites speculation, while a disturbing odor emerges. When Homer vanishes, the townspeople’s suspicions swirl. Emily remains unmoved by his absence, but a foul smell from her property raises further alarm.
- Emily’s death unveils a horrifying truth. Upon her passing, the townspeople infiltrate her home and stumble upon a gruesome secret: Emily had preserved Homer’s corpse and slept beside it for years.
- A flashback illuminates Emily’s isolation. The narrative returns to the night of her father’s death, exposing his relentless interference in her romantic life, ultimately leading to her desolate existence.
- The townspeople’s actions offer a twisted form of closure. Their decision to bury Homer within Emily’s home implies a warped sense of fulfillment for her, as if she’d finally obtained the companionship she desperately craved.
- A haunting image lingers. The story concludes with the chilling visual of a single gray hair on the pillow beside Homer’s remains, suggesting Emily’s disturbing intimacy persisted even beyond his death.
- The haunting finale prompts contemplation. The story’s final line – “Then we noticed that in the second pillow was the indentation of a head. One of us lifted something from it, and leaning forward, that faint and invisible dust dry and acrid in the nostrils, we saw a long strand of iron-gray hair” – forces the reader to grapple with the complexities of Emily’s character and the story’s central themes.
Characterization in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
Major Characters
| Character | Description |
| Emily Grierson | The story’s reclusive protagonist. Her isolation and clinging to the past contribute to her mental and emotional decline. |
| Homer Barron | A Northern laborer who becomes Emily’s love interest. His relationship with Emily leads to a tragic end. |
| Judge Stevens | The mayor of Jefferson. He represents the old order and attempts to mediate between Emily and the townspeople. |
Minor Characters
| Character | Description |
| Tobe | Emily’s loyal and enigmatic servant. His silence and long service contribute to the mystery surrounding Emily. |
| Colonel Sartoris | A former mayor. His decision to exempt Emily from taxes reflects the town’s traditional values and Emily’s privileged position. |
| Mr. Grierson | Emily’s deceased father. His controlling nature shaped Emily’s life and ultimately contributed to her isolation. |
| Mrs. Grierson | A distant figure in the story. Her absence reinforces the theme of isolation. |
| The Townspeople | A collective observer. Their gossip and speculation expose the town’s curiosity and its inability to truly understand Emily. |
| Literary Devices | Definition | Example from “A Rose for Emily” |
|---|---|---|
| Allusion | A reference to another literary or historical work, person, or event. | Emily’s father driving away suitors could allude to overprotective figures in mythology or other literature. |
| Flashback | A technique interrupting the present action to depict a past event. | The story often flashes back to depict Emily’s past experiences, including her father and her relationship with Homer. |
| Foreshadowing | Hints at what will happen later in the story. | Emily’s purchase of arsenic foreshadows its potential use. |
| Imagery | Language creating vivid images and sensory experiences for the reader. | “…which no one save an old manservant – a combined gardener and cook – had seen in at least ten years.” |
| Irony | A contrast between expectation and reality. | The townspeople pity Emily, only to be horrified by her actions later (situational irony). |
| Metaphor | A figure of speech comparing two things without using “like” or “as.” | Emily is described as a “fallen monument,” comparing her to a once-great but decayed structure. |
| Motif | A recurring image, symbol, or idea in a work of literature. | Decay is a motif throughout the story, represented by Emily’s house, her appearance, and Homer’s corpse. |
| Narrator | The voice that tells the story. | An unnamed townsperson narrates the story, using the first-person plural “we”. |
| Personification | Giving human qualities to non-human things. | “…with lifted lights, stubborn and coquettish above the cotton wagons and the gasoline pumps” |
| Point of View | The perspective from which the story is told. | The first-person plural point of view allows the reader to experience the story through the townspeople’s eyes. |
| Repetition | Using a word or phrase multiple times for emphasis. | The repetition of “dust” emphasizes the sense of decay and the passage of time. |
| Satire | A literary device used to criticize flaws through humor or irony. | The story subtly satirizes the nosiness and judgmental tendencies of small-town life. |
| Setting | The time and place of a story. | The story is set in the fictional town of Jefferson, Mississippi, likely in the early 20th century following the Civil War. |
| Simile | A figure of speech comparing two things using “like” or “as.” | Emily is described as looking “bloated, like a body long submerged in motionless water.” |
| Symbolism | Using objects or images to represent ideas or qualities. | Emily’s house symbolizes her isolation, decay, and the resistance to change. |
| Theme | The central idea or message in a work of literature. | Themes include the destructive power of isolation, the clash between tradition and change, and the importance of human connection. |
| Tone | The overall attitude or mood conveyed in the story. | The tone is primarily somber, macabre, and at times, even darkly humorous. |
| Voice | The unique style of a writer or narrator. | Faulkner’s voice is distinguished by complex sentences, vivid imagery, and a non-linear storytelling style. |
Major Themes in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
- The Destructive Nature of Isolation:
· Emily’s Self-Imposed Seclusion: After her father’s death, Emily becomes a recluse, cutting herself off from the outside world.
- The Consequences of Isolation: Emily’s isolation leads to a warped perception of reality, contributing to her psychological decline and a horrifying secret.
· The Clash of Tradition vs. Change
- Emily as a Symbol of the Old South: Emily clings fiercely to the traditions and values of the past, represented by her decaying mansion and her resistance to change.
- Homer Barron as a Symbol of Progress: Homer, a Northern laborer, represents modernity and change that threaten Emily’s traditional world.
- The Town’s Ambivalence: The townspeople are caught between a fading past and an uncertain future, reflected in their conflicting attitudes towards Emily.
· The Fading Glory of the American South
- The Decaying Grierson Mansion: The once-grand house symbolizes the decline of the Old South and its aristocratic families.
- Emily’s Resistance to Change: Emily’s insistence on maintaining the status quo mirrors the larger social struggle between tradition and progress in the post-Civil War South.
· The Illusion of Control
- Mr. Grierson’s Influence: Emily’s father exerts extreme control over her life, preventing her from marrying and contributing to her isolation.
- Emily’s Desperate Measures: Emily’s actions with Homer reveal a twisted desire to control love and death, ultimately leading to a horrifying discovery.
· The Unreliability of Memory and Perception
- The Non-Linear Narrative: The story’s fragmented timeline blurs the lines between past and present, mirroring the town’s unreliable memory of events.
- The Townspeople’s Bias: The collective narrator filters events through their own prejudices and limited understanding of Emily, leaving the truth obscured.
Writing Style in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
· Non-linear Narrative: Faulkner disrupts the traditional flow of time with flashbacks and forward jumps. Examples:
- The story starts with Emily’s funeral, then flashes back to her relationship with her father.
- Details about Homer are revealed in fragments, heightening the mystery of his fate.
· Multiple Narrators and Shifting Points of View: The collective “we” of the townspeople narrates the story, offering a limited perspective. Examples:
- The townspeople speculate about Emily’s purchase of arsenic, drawing their own assumptions.
- Their interpretation of events might contrast with the reality of Emily’s motivations.
· Vivid, Poetic Language: Faulkner uses striking imagery to evoke a sense of gothic decay and despair. Examples:
- Descriptions of the Grierson mansion as “stubborn and coquettish” and smelling of “dust and disuse.”
- Emily’s appearance is likened to “a body long submerged in motionless water.”
· Atmosphere of Foreboding Faulkner crafts a palpable feeling of dread and unease, foreshadowing the macabre ending. Examples:
- The townspeople’s observations of a strange smell surrounding Emily’s house.
- Emily’s purchase of arsenic hints at a potentially sinister purpose.
Literary Theories and Interpretation of “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
| Literary Theory | Key Concepts | Application to “A Rose for Emily” |
| Feminist Criticism | Examines gender roles, power dynamics, and the representation of women in literature. | * Emily as a victim of patriarchal control: Her father’s influence and societal expectations restricted her opportunities and could have contributed to her mental decline. * Emily as a subversive figure: Her actions against Homer could be seen as a form of rebellion against traditional gender roles. |
| Psychoanalytic Criticism | Explores the unconscious mind, repressed desires, and the influence of childhood experiences. | * Emily’s fixation on the past: Her inability to let go of her father and her deceased lover could stem from unresolved trauma or psychological repression. * The symbolism of the house: The decaying mansion might represent Emily’s deteriorating mental state or repressed memories. |
| Marxist Criticism | Focuses on class conflict, economic inequality, and social hierarchies. | * The decline of the Old South: Emily and her house symbolize the fading aristocracy and the resistance to social change in the post-Civil War South. * The power dynamics between Emily and Tobe: Their relationship could reflect social and economic inequalities of the era. |
| Reader-Response Criticism | Emphasizes the reader’s role in constructing meaning from the text. | * Ambiguity and open interpretation: The story’s non-linear structure and unreliable narrator encourage the reader to actively piece together the events and form their own conclusions about Emily’s motivations. * Emotional impact: The story evokes strong feelings of pity, horror, or sympathy in the reader, leading to subjective interpretations. |
| New Historicism | Examines historical context and cultural influences to understand literary texts. | * Southern Gothic tradition: Elements like the decaying mansion, grotesque imagery, and a focus on the past place the story within this literary genre. * Post-Civil War South: The story reflects the tensions and anxieties of a society grappling with change and the loss of its former social order. |
Questions and Thesis Statements about “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
1. The Theme of Isolation in “A Rose for Emily”
- Strong focus: This topic is directly tied to one of the story’s central themes.
- Character-centered: By analyzing Emily, you can explore how her isolation develops and its consequences.
- Consider:
- How does the town contribute to her isolation?
- Is her isolation entirely negative, or does it offer something to her as well?
2. The Role of Gender in “A Rose for Emily”
- Relevant critique: Gender expectations are a powerful force in the story.
- Potential for depth: This can be connected to broader themes like Southern womanhood, power dynamics, and societal change.
- Consider:
- How do the townspeople’s expectations of women both trap and, oddly, protect Emily?
- Explore other female figures in the story (even minor ones) as a contrast.
3. The Use of Symbolism in “A Rose for Emily”
- Rich with symbolism: The story is layered with meaningful symbols.
- Allows for close analysis: Focusing on specific symbols can enhance your exploration of the key themes.
- Consider:
- Look beyond obvious symbols to less-discussed ones (hair, dust, etc.).
- How do the symbols interact or contradict each other?
4. The Narrative Structure of “A Rose for Emily”
- Unique aspect of the story: Faulkner’s structure is a key element of its impact.
- Connects form to meaning: Analyzing how the narrative is structured helps reveal deeper layers of meaning.
- Consider:
- How does the fragmented timeline influence our understanding of Emily?
- What effect does the collective narrator (“we”) have?
5. The Role of Death in “A Rose for Emily”
- Powerful motif: Death is ever-present in this story.
- Explores multiple facets: This topic could focus on literal deaths, metaphorical deaths (of the Old South), or Emily’s relationship to mortality.
- Consider:
- How does Emily’s connection to death differ from the townspeople’s?
- Does death represent an escape for Emily, or something else?
Short Question-Answer “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
| Question | Analysis |
| Significance of the title “A Rose for Emily” | * Literal Reference:* A gift Emily never receives from Homer, showcasing her unfulfilled desire for love and connection. * Symbolic of Emily:* Beautiful yet fragile, she is preserved in a state of decay, mirroring the fading of the Old South. * Thematic Connection:* Themes of unattainable love, the illusion of beauty in the face of decay, the conflict between tradition and change. |
| Impact of Emily’s father on her character | * Depiction:* Controlling and domineering, denying Emily any social life. * Consequences:* Emily becomes emotionally stunted and isolated, fueling her later actions in the story. * Thematic Connection:* Examines the destructive power of control, the long-term consequences of isolation, and how Emily’s lack of agency contributes to her tragedy. |
| Role of the setting in highlighting tradition vs. change | * Setting:* A Southern town undergoing modernization, challenging the old societal order. * Emily as Symbol:* Clings to the past and refuses to adapt, representing the fading aristocracy. * House as Metaphor:* The decaying mansion reflects Emily’s deterioration and the decline of the Old South as a whole. * Thematic Connection:* Illustrates the clash between clinging to tradition and embracing change, as well as the inevitability of social evolution. |
| Examples of symbolism in the story | * The House:* Symbolizes Emily’s psychological decay and her isolation from the outside world. * Emily’s Father’s Portrait:* Represents Emily’s unhealthy fixation on the past and the domineering influence it holds over her. * The Arsenic:* Suggests a desire for power and a twisted form of control. * The Rose Itself:* Evokes beauty and death, mirroring Emily’s own tragic beauty and her macabre fascination with death. |
Literary Works Similar to “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman:
- Shared Themes: Both stories explore the psychological deterioration of women due to isolation and confinement. The protagonists descend into fragmented mental states as a result of their restricted circumstances.
- Stylistic Similarities: Gilman and Faulkner employ first-person narration that grows increasingly unreliable, offering the reader a distorted view of events that mirrors the character’s fracturing psyche.
“The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe:
- Shared Themes: The decaying mansions in both stories serve as stark symbols of isolation, psychological decline, and the crumbling of old legacies. The themes of death and decay pervade both narratives.
- Stylistic Similarities: Poe and Faulkner are renowned Southern Gothic authors, sharing a talent for creating a haunting atmosphere, exploring macabre settings, and incorporating elements of the supernatural.
“A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor:
- Shared Themes: Both O’Connor and Faulkner expose the darker aspects of the South, questioning notions of morality and human nature. Their characters—The Misfit and Emily Grierson—offer enigmatic psychological profiles, inviting speculation about their hidden motives.
- Stylistic Similarities: Both writers portray grotesque scenarios with an air of detachment, forcing the reader to confront unsettling moral implications.
“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson:
- Shared Themes: Both stories challenge the idealization of small-town life, revealing the horrors that can lie beneath the surface of tradition and conformity.
- Stylistic Similarities: Jackson and Faulkner build suspense with matter-of-fact prose that contrasts with the disturbing events, culminating in chilling twists.
“Winesburg, Ohio” by Sherwood Anderson:
- Shared Themes: This interconnected collection of short stories explores the complexities of small-town life, mirroring Faulkner’s focus on themes of loneliness, isolation, and the universal desire for connection.
- Stylistic Similarities: Both authors use fragmented structures and multiple perspectives to construct complex portrayals of their characters and the communities they inhabit.
Suggested Readings: “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
Scholarly Articles
- Bloom, Harold. “Introduction.” Bloom’s Modern Critical Interpretations: A Rose for Emily, New Edition, edited by Harold Bloom, Chelsea House Publishers, 2008, pp. 1–9.
- Justus, James H. “The Narrator in ‘A Rose for Emily.'” Journal of Narrative Technique, vol. 1, no. 3, 1971, pp. 195-209. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/30225170.
- Polk, Noel. “The Narrative Strategy of ‘A Rose for Emily.'” Modern Language Studies, vol. 13, no. 4, 1983, pp. 3-11. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/3194650
Books of Literary Criticism
- Brooks, Cleanth. William Faulkner: Toward Yoknapatawpha and Beyond. Yale University Press, 1978.
- Millgate, Michael. The Achievement of William Faulkner. Random House, 1963.
- Tuck, Dorothy. Faulkner’s Mississippi. University Press of Mississippi, 1980.
Websites
- SparkNotes: A Rose for Emily. SparkNotes Editors. 2002. https://www.sparknotes.com/short-stories/a-rose-for-emily/
- CliffsNotes: A Rose for Emily. https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/f/faulkners-short-stories/summary-and-analysis-a-rose-for-emily/section-i
- The William Faulkner Project https://english.olemiss.edu/faulkner-in-america-kathryn-mckee/