A Rose For Emily Chapter Summary

A Rose for Emily is a short story written by popular American author William Faulkner, which details the events of Emily Grierson, an aristocratic woman admired by the community. The setting of this story takes place in Mississippi, in the fictional town of Jefferson between the post antebellum period and the late 1920s. William Faulkner divides this story into five separate sections, each detailing certain events that typically do not happen in a chronological order. In section one, the story begins with an unknown narrator portraying the time of Emily’s death, and the consideration the town had for her passing. The funeral was held in her home, which no one other than her personal butler Tobe, had been in in over 10 years. Another detail
After some time, Homer Barron, a leader for a construction company moves into town and constructs new developments. Homer Barron and Emily are seen together, and start to form a relationship. The community reacts in a negative way, this then results in Emily purchasing a large quantity of arsenic, which further degrades her reputation. In order for Emily to purchase arsenic, she is required by law to write a written statement for her use of this chemical. She simply states she is using it “, For rats.” Her intentions seem very unlikely at this point, and the community begins to speculate. In the fourth section, the community is very suspicious and suspect that she will most likely commit suicide. After a short period of time, Homer is seen entering Emily’s manor one evening and is never seen again. Not much is heard after this point, and Emily starts to grow grey hair and gain some weight. Not much is heard from Emily, she avoids tax bills and is occasionally seen through the top floor window of her house. Emily eventually passes at the age of 74. Her death, Homer’s disappearance, and the later portion of her life remain a huge