A Rose for Emily: Literary Analysis 2
ENG 102
Analysis Research Paper
09-25-10
Literary Analysis
William Faulkner’s short story “A Rose for Emily” carries a theme represented by a dying breed of that era, while using symbolism to represent tragedy, loneliness and some form of pride, the story also shows how far one will go to have the approval of others and the pursuit of happiness. In today’s times, a person’s image could mean everything in life and almost everyone tries to fit into the main stream in some form at some point in there life. Though, people often claim to try to be unique and trend setters at some point they all buckle down and try to just fit in and impress. This idea to me goes into the same as for “A Rose for Emily”. The short story “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner is about the life of a once vibrant and happy young girl who grows into a very troubled old woman. When interviewed and asked “the meaning of the title, A Rose for Emily. Faulkner expressed: “Oh, it’s simply the poor woman had had no life at all.” (1445). Main character Emily Grierson was born into a family that was very well kept and members of the upper class. Everyone in the some what small community kept close eyes on the Grierson family. It wasn’t as if the townspeople didn’t like the Grierson’s, it’s just that the family was the object of perfection, so every move was closely watched. Emily’s father to me was a character who was considered very noble in the lime light, but in secret he held his daughter back from becoming a proper adult, he wanted her to not date and to stay around to play “house keeper” one could call it. Upon her fathers death Emily went through many changes. She became very secluded and she aged quickly. She had all the feelings of being alone, not married, un-successful. This is not something that the townspeople expected and they showed her a substantial amount of pity. Things began to change when Emily fell in love with a man named Homer Barron. It seemed her luck had changed
Analysis Research Paper
09-25-10
Literary Analysis
William Faulkner’s short story “A Rose for Emily” carries a theme represented by a dying breed of that era, while using symbolism to represent tragedy, loneliness and some form of pride, the story also shows how far one will go to have the approval of others and the pursuit of happiness. In today’s times, a person’s image could mean everything in life and almost everyone tries to fit into the main stream in some form at some point in there life. Though, people often claim to try to be unique and trend setters at some point they all buckle down and try to just fit in and impress. This idea to me goes into the same as for “A Rose for Emily”. The short story “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner is about the life of a once vibrant and happy young girl who grows into a very troubled old woman. When interviewed and asked “the meaning of the title, A Rose for Emily. Faulkner expressed: “Oh, it’s simply the poor woman had had no life at all.” (1445). Main character Emily Grierson was born into a family that was very well kept and members of the upper class. Everyone in the some what small community kept close eyes on the Grierson family. It wasn’t as if the townspeople didn’t like the Grierson’s, it’s just that the family was the object of perfection, so every move was closely watched. Emily’s father to me was a character who was considered very noble in the lime light, but in secret he held his daughter back from becoming a proper adult, he wanted her to not date and to stay around to play “house keeper” one could call it. Upon her fathers death Emily went through many changes. She became very secluded and she aged quickly. She had all the feelings of being alone, not married, un-successful. This is not something that the townspeople expected and they showed her a substantial amount of pity. Things began to change when Emily fell in love with a man named Homer Barron. It seemed her luck had changed
Cited: Faulkner, William. "A Rose for Emily." The Story and Its Writer: an Introduction to Short Fiction. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2007. 391-97. Print.