Emily Grierson In William Faulkner's A Rose For Emily

In William Faulkner’s, A Rose for Emily, Emily Grierson portrays a character that is hardheaded, adamant, and above all impervious. Emily plays the typical outsider, controlling and minimizing the information that the town receives about her by staying hidden in her house for many years. One could even say that the house itself portrays Emily’s character: dark, mysterious, and even creepy. Miss Grierson also plays a very emotional character, but only one we as readers see from the outside looking in. Through this short story, readers get to see different of aspects of Emily such as her role as a daughter, the different lifestyle she lives, and the imprint that she leaves on the town. Throughout Faulkner’s short story one can definitely conclude that Emily’s father had unbelievable control and power over her life until his death. When he was alive, he completely secluded her from society and the outside world. Her father set a path for her life that she could not escape until her life came to an end. Emily’s father portrays someone who is dominant, controlling, and cruel. That in itself could possibly explain why Emily acts the way she does. When her father died, it was the first time in her entire life that she was allowed to make a decision for herself, and that’s when she decided to pursue a relationship with Homer Barron. When …show more content…
As the story progresses the readers only get to see and experience the very outer shell of Emily’s personality. The readers get a glimpse as to why Emily acts the way she does, much contributed to the controlling ways of her deceased father. Readers experience an eerie sensation as they unfold her bizarre ways that include a case of mental instability and an obsession with dead bodies. Faulkner’s short story ultimately showcases an estranged girl that aches for love and acceptance, something that has been kept from her throughout her entire