William Faulkner's peculiar story, "A Rose for Emily," portrays an insane young woman, Emily Grierson, who is isolated and displaced from society on account of her father's attitude and restriction as she was growing up. Society regards her as a monument and the focal point of town interest because her family had a renowned southern reputation in town during the post civil war. Faulkner uses symbolism through Miss Emily, her house, and Homer to show the contrast between past and present.
One symbol is Emily who represents a piece of history and tradition in the town of Jefferson. Faulkner connects Emily and her house in symbolizing the last remaining remnant of the old southern gentry in their society. For example, Emily refused to pay taxes based on an agreement made with Colonel Sartoris, who had been dead for ten years. She then refused to acknowledge the deat
Faulkner used Homer as a victim of Miss Emily's fixation with the past in showing the clash between past and present. And after Homer's death, Miss Emily's love prevents her from acknowledging his death. But Homer does allow Miss Emily to move a step past her father's death to find love. Thus the clash results in Homer becoming a part of the past, trapped inside the deteriorating abode and Miss Emily finding someone to replace her father and alleviate the denying misconception of her father's death. The house even exhibited some change as the room where Homer was found, was predominantly red symbolizing her love for him.
Faulkner's use of symbolism in the characters and setting and distinct descriptions, allow the reader to enjoy a tale of two worlds colliding to create an equivocal but shocking finale. He contrasts Emily and house with the town and Homer, and brings them together
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