"A Rose for Emily", by William Faulkner, follows the suspenseful life of Miss Emily Grierson life while leading up to Emily's death. Throughout much of Emily's life, her actions are constantly determined by her southern duty and the men in her life; specifically her father. It is not until Mr.Grierson dies that the reader understands the important role her father plays in her life. At first, the townspeople have much respect for Miss Emily; however this soon changes as Emily not only poisons, but kills the love of her life. In "A Rose for Emily", Emily's misinterpreted emotions and behaviors broadcast her in a negative light; however, when looking more closely to the reading, Emily's reactions reveal that she has a mental illness: Schizophrenia.
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Most times Schizophrenia "affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves" (National Institute of Mental Health). Emily tells "...them that her father was not dead" (Faulkner 84), revealing her current state of denial. The National Institute of Health states: "People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality". Is it not until "...she broke down..." ( Faulkner 84), that Emily shows a sign of schizophrenia. "She was sick for a long time." (Faulkner 84), yet, there is no specification as to what kind of sick. The townspeople "...did not say she was crazy then."( Faulkner 84), yet throughout the story Emily is never diagnosed by a mental professional. The townspeople describe Emily as "a fallen monument" (Faulkner 82), thus denying the fact Miss Emily could possibly have a mental illness. Diagnosing someone with schizophrenia is a challenging task. There are numerous symptoms that a patient with schizophrenia may possess; in addition, the patient's family history is always taken into consideration. The narrator mentions "...old lady Wyatt. Her great aunt, had gone completely crazy at last..." (Faulkner 84), indicating that Miss Emily was not the only irrational person in her family. Emily's emotions about her father's death, reveal to the reader Emily's grief process; her cause for …show more content…
After her father's death, Emily receives few calls and visits; however the townspeople who came "were not received" (Faulkner 84). Even after the death of Emily's father, she was "...dressed as usual and with no trace of grief on her face" (Faulkner 84). Emily denies her father's death so much that it becomes a new reality for her. The people who did go see Emily after her father's death, are soon no lowering in number as she closes her door. The National Institute of Health mentions behavioral symptoms such as "reduced speaking" as a sign of schizophrenia, much like Miss Emily is doing. It is not long until Emily retreats from the townspeople altogether. When the townspeople "see her again" (Faulkner 84), Emily "had grown fat and her hair was turning gray" (Faulkner 86). Emily not taking care of herself can be seen as a sign of grief; however, her southern duties still require her to keep an acceptable appearance. Emily is now thought to be socially irrational, another symptom of schizophrenia according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When the town installed mailboxes, "Miss Emily alone refused to let them fasten the metal numbers above her door and attach a mailbox to it" (Faulkner 87), showing her disconnection to not only the townspeople but the town as a
Most times Schizophrenia "affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves" (National Institute of Mental Health). Emily tells "...them that her father was not dead" (Faulkner 84), revealing her current state of denial. The National Institute of Health states: "People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality". Is it not until "...she broke down..." ( Faulkner 84), that Emily shows a sign of schizophrenia. "She was sick for a long time." (Faulkner 84), yet, there is no specification as to what kind of sick. The townspeople "...did not say she was crazy then."( Faulkner 84), yet throughout the story Emily is never diagnosed by a mental professional. The townspeople describe Emily as "a fallen monument" (Faulkner 82), thus denying the fact Miss Emily could possibly have a mental illness. Diagnosing someone with schizophrenia is a challenging task. There are numerous symptoms that a patient with schizophrenia may possess; in addition, the patient's family history is always taken into consideration. The narrator mentions "...old lady Wyatt. Her great aunt, had gone completely crazy at last..." (Faulkner 84), indicating that Miss Emily was not the only irrational person in her family. Emily's emotions about her father's death, reveal to the reader Emily's grief process; her cause for …show more content…
After her father's death, Emily receives few calls and visits; however the townspeople who came "were not received" (Faulkner 84). Even after the death of Emily's father, she was "...dressed as usual and with no trace of grief on her face" (Faulkner 84). Emily denies her father's death so much that it becomes a new reality for her. The people who did go see Emily after her father's death, are soon no lowering in number as she closes her door. The National Institute of Health mentions behavioral symptoms such as "reduced speaking" as a sign of schizophrenia, much like Miss Emily is doing. It is not long until Emily retreats from the townspeople altogether. When the townspeople "see her again" (Faulkner 84), Emily "had grown fat and her hair was turning gray" (Faulkner 86). Emily not taking care of herself can be seen as a sign of grief; however, her southern duties still require her to keep an acceptable appearance. Emily is now thought to be socially irrational, another symptom of schizophrenia according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When the town installed mailboxes, "Miss Emily alone refused to let them fasten the metal numbers above her door and attach a mailbox to it" (Faulkner 87), showing her disconnection to not only the townspeople but the town as a