A Rose For Emily Death And Tradition Essay

The Power of Death and Tradition Beyond the words and structure of the short story “A Rose for Emily,” the author, William Faulkner, draws the reader’s attention to the power of death and tradition given by Miss Emily Grierson and the townspeople of Jefferson. Mr. Grierson and his daughter, Emily Grierson, live in the South in a community of judgement. The Grierson’s are monuments of the past and live their life accordingly to traditions. They are respected, yet also thought of as a burden because they restrain the community of Jefferson to modernize. Faulkner elucidates the events that create drastic changes in Jefferson. The Grierson’s are a family of two, Mr. Grierson and his daughter Miss Emily Grierson. Mr. Grierson was a predominant wealthy man who was influential and well respected in the community of Jefferson. Miss Emily was a loyal conservative lady and was the center of the townspeople's obsession. They lived during the era of the existing Old South and were considered to be very reactionary. Miss Emily seldom made decisions of her own because her father was the head of household and maintained most of the power. Mr. Grierson believed that no man was good enough for his daughter so he batted away …show more content…
According to Faulkner, it took her about three days to admit to the people of Jefferson that her father had died (Pg. 36). Mr. Grierson’s death led the townspeople to feel pity and sympathy for Miss Emily. The tragedy of this death caused Miss Emily to distance herself from reality and live in a world of her own time. The death of Mr. Grierson serves as a symbol of departure from the Old South and the development of the New South. Faulkner made it evident that Miss Emily was seen as “a tradition, a duty, and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation upon the town” (Pg. 33). Correspondingly, she maintained her status to the