Psychoanalysis of Emily Grierson Serious mental illnesses affect millions of people in the United States alone. Approximately four percent of Americans meet the criteria to receive a diagnosis for a serious mental illness (SMI). The human persona has been extensively discussed by authors for centuries. William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” provides the reader a glimpse into the psyche of the main character, Emily Grierson. Miss Emily Grierson, who lives as an outsider in Faulkner’s sleepy, southern town, experiences a traumatic youth which evolves into a far more perverse and troubling life. Emily’s psychotic behavior, reminiscent of a schizotypal disorder, is manifested through her relationship with her father, her need for isolation and
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She enters a state characterized by her own delusions and perversions. She “went out very little [… ] people hardly saw her at all” (Faulkner 178). Her reclusive tendencies begin to become much more evident at this point. A typical symptom of schizotypal personality disorders involves reclusive behaviors much like what Emily exhibits. In addition to her reclusive nature, she does not have the ability to connect with others in a normal manner, demonstrated by Faulkner’s statement “A few of the ladies had the temerity to call, but were not received” (178). A few of Emily’s more sympathetic neighbors attempt to reach out to her. However, Emily’s inability to make an appropriate connection to any of them quickly terminates any possibility of friendship. Not only are they unsuccessful in befriending Emily, but it is evident that they feel uncomfortable in simply interacting with her. Nobody feels comfortable confronting Emily, even when her home begins to emit a horrible stench. Judge Stevens, an older man who know Emily’s past well, even presses the younger men of the town when he rhetorically states “will you accuse a lady to her face of smelling” (Faulkner 179). This statement seems to intimate that the judge has some qualms about confronting Emily. The judge understands that the smell permeating the surrounding areas could not simply be a result of Emily’s lack of hygiene, but he uses his rhetoric to try and prevent the younger men from confronting Emily in any way. He does not want a confrontation because he understands that Emily is disconnected from reality and whatever they say to her will not resonate effectively. In addition to her disconnection from reality, her interactions with most people now seem to indicate that she lacks any degree of apathy. A prime example of her lack of apathy comes as she tries to purchase poison. Without even stating her purpose she
She enters a state characterized by her own delusions and perversions. She “went out very little [… ] people hardly saw her at all” (Faulkner 178). Her reclusive tendencies begin to become much more evident at this point. A typical symptom of schizotypal personality disorders involves reclusive behaviors much like what Emily exhibits. In addition to her reclusive nature, she does not have the ability to connect with others in a normal manner, demonstrated by Faulkner’s statement “A few of the ladies had the temerity to call, but were not received” (178). A few of Emily’s more sympathetic neighbors attempt to reach out to her. However, Emily’s inability to make an appropriate connection to any of them quickly terminates any possibility of friendship. Not only are they unsuccessful in befriending Emily, but it is evident that they feel uncomfortable in simply interacting with her. Nobody feels comfortable confronting Emily, even when her home begins to emit a horrible stench. Judge Stevens, an older man who know Emily’s past well, even presses the younger men of the town when he rhetorically states “will you accuse a lady to her face of smelling” (Faulkner 179). This statement seems to intimate that the judge has some qualms about confronting Emily. The judge understands that the smell permeating the surrounding areas could not simply be a result of Emily’s lack of hygiene, but he uses his rhetoric to try and prevent the younger men from confronting Emily in any way. He does not want a confrontation because he understands that Emily is disconnected from reality and whatever they say to her will not resonate effectively. In addition to her disconnection from reality, her interactions with most people now seem to indicate that she lacks any degree of apathy. A prime example of her lack of apathy comes as she tries to purchase poison. Without even stating her purpose she