Emotions In Faulkner's A Rose For Emily

Emotions can lead to despair, for instance, “A Rose for Emily” demonstrates the desperation found when sharing human connection. The writing occurs during the era of the American Revolution and the fall of embraced Southern roots; therefore, “by creating the character of Emily Grierson, a southern woman tortured by the traditional patriarchy of her environment and forbidden love, Faulkner expresses his pity and love for his birthplace, as well as nostalgia for the past” (Hsu, Wang 87). This short story places emphasis on romantic connections of the town’s local oddity. The recently orphaned Southern belle, Emily Grierson, longs for another male figure to maintain her household after her father’s passing. Although Homer did not love her in return, she locates her love and grasps tightly to him. …show more content…
In addition to losing her father, Emily fears losing another male influence on her life. Emily’s life was supported by a father-figure; therefore she believes she must retain another male to replace the empty position. When Homer hesitated continuing the relationship, “She killed Homer largely to placate society, although that, in her deranged mind, also secured him as a lover forever” (Dilworth 251). Grierson’s passion brought death upon Homer Barron, for she could not allow his escape from her life. By analyzing the symbolic rose and distorted love in William Faulkner’s, “A Rose for Emily”, Grierson’s lack of understanding emotion leads to manipulating fate and preserving false