Isolation In A Rose For Emily

What intrigued me about William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” was the characterization of Emily, specifically concerning the importance of isolation and family. The progression of Emily, as she became further reclusive, was both interesting to read and analyze. Most readers disregarded the father in the story, but I saw his significance and lasting effect. Emily’s father drove away suitors as he believed they were not good enough for his daughter, which may have caused her to snap. Faulkner wrote “we remembered all the young men her father had driven away and we knew that with nothing left, she would have to cling that which had robbed her, as people will” (171). The death of her father broke Emily, as seen in her refusal to give up the body. All things considered, I saw …show more content…
I saw Emily clinging to fame as she drove around with Homer Barron in his buggy, which I saw as scandalous. Homer Barron was a popular Northerner and day laborer in the South. His job of laying down new sidewalks went against the traditional standards in the battle between the modernization and tradition. Ultimately, I saw her status threatened by Homer. Furthermore, Homer was presumed to be gay which could have contributed to the reason why Emily choose to kill Homer, out of fear of being deserted. As the story progressed, Emily became more secretive and secluded as “now and then we would see her in one of the downstairs windows- she had evidently shut up the top floor of the house- like the carven torso of an idol in a niche…” (174). This quote showcased the strong correlation between the characterization and growing distance between Emily and the other characters. In fact, the characters acted as an unreliable source since they do not know much about Emily even though they exclaim they do. In the end, the other minor characters attended Emily’s funeral out of curiosity, which I viewed as sad and