William Faulkner’s symbolic use of death in A Rose for Emily conveys how the past is representative of death. Throughout the story death is a prevalent theme consequently, Faulkner uses many symbols to carry his message. The symbolic use of death as a theme depicts the struggles and resistance of change, illustrating how conformity may result in an early death even while still living. The resistance towards change signifies the limbo between the past and present much like life and death. The use of financial decline, aging decay and southern aristocracy are significant in the unfortunate life and death of Emily Geirson.
An unusual feature that Faulkner utilizes in the text is that of mixed chronology. He begins the text with death, being the fifth word that the reader consumes it lays the foundation for the remainder of the story. Instead of Faulkner writing his story in chronological order he chose to begin the story with the death of Miss Emily rather than her birth. The purpose of using a non-linear …show more content…
The condition of the home that had once been white and on a select street is now consumed by cotton gins and garages representing modernization and change. The imagery of the white house now dingy from neglect is a form of disregard and complete resistance to the changing times. White used as a symbol of purity is now dark and discolored symbolizing sickness and death. The longstanding dirt having been there for decades epitomizes the past, washing it off would denote a fresh start, something Emily would not permit. The house described as stubborn and coquettish is representative of how Miss Emily herself shares those traits. Her refusal to comply with the transformations happening around her exemplify her stubborn ways. Emily symbolizes the old south and the essence of Southern gentility. She represents the timeworn way and refuses to allow something as minuscule as modernization to disrupt her old Southern
An unusual feature that Faulkner utilizes in the text is that of mixed chronology. He begins the text with death, being the fifth word that the reader consumes it lays the foundation for the remainder of the story. Instead of Faulkner writing his story in chronological order he chose to begin the story with the death of Miss Emily rather than her birth. The purpose of using a non-linear …show more content…
The condition of the home that had once been white and on a select street is now consumed by cotton gins and garages representing modernization and change. The imagery of the white house now dingy from neglect is a form of disregard and complete resistance to the changing times. White used as a symbol of purity is now dark and discolored symbolizing sickness and death. The longstanding dirt having been there for decades epitomizes the past, washing it off would denote a fresh start, something Emily would not permit. The house described as stubborn and coquettish is representative of how Miss Emily herself shares those traits. Her refusal to comply with the transformations happening around her exemplify her stubborn ways. Emily symbolizes the old south and the essence of Southern gentility. She represents the timeworn way and refuses to allow something as minuscule as modernization to disrupt her old Southern