A Rose for Emily

A detailed Summary of A Rose for Emily

In William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily," Miss Emily is Portrayed as a recluse from society who is set in her ways, "a sort of heredity obligation upon the town"(3). Faulkner uses several elements in the story to produce the character of Emily. Some of these elements may not be seen clearly, however, they are stated in the story. The reader is led to believe that Emily is heartless and sometimes a little demented, although feeling sorry for her at times. This picture is painted through her actions and words, through other characters actions and words, and through the narrator's direct comments about Emily.

Emily's actions and words show she is set in her ways, often being bold and direct. When the men from the town come to collect her taxes, she is direct with them, "I have no taxes in Jefferson"(10). She states this many times, not allowing the men to speak. Finally showing them to the door as if to say she will not hear another word. When the town tries to place the metal numbers on her door for the free postal delivery "she refuses them"(50). When her father died "she told them her father was not dead"(27), denying t

The narrator of the story states Emily is a monument for the town, while also showing Emily's demented side. The townspeople view Emily as "a sort of heredity obligation upon the town"(3). Emily is a tradition to the town, her family the Griersons lived off their own name, however, later in the story the towns people realize the Griersons were not as well off as they thought "...the Griersons held themselves a little too high for what they really were"(25). The gossiping the town did led her to her seclusion and the horrific murder of Homer. Miss Emily may have wanted seclusion but her heart lingered for compassion. The arrival of Homer induced this feeling of compassion in Emily. She is determined not to lose Homer like she lost her father, finding out that Homer "...was not a marrying man"(43). She knew her intentions when she bought the arsenic. Murdering Homer was the only way to hold on to him. After Emily died the town went to her house, curious to see the upstairs room "...breaking down the door"(57). Finding the body of Homer lying in the bed, "then we noticed that in the second pillow was the indention of a head"(60). This is showing Em

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 776
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels

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A Rose for Emily

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