William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” is a southern gothic short story, published in 1930. The main character in his story, Emily Grierson a local hermit, happens to be a well-loved and mentally ill spinster. Many don’t know what to think of her and the people closest to her. The events that take place throughout the story of Emily Grierson’s life leads to signs of a strange conspiracy the town has concocted, but doesn’t want to figure out the truth to. However, her mental illness, the house, and various other symbols represent something substantial; they represent southern traditions, the resistance to change, and the theme of death.
The beginning of the story starts out with all of the townspeople attending Miss Emily’s funeral (1). With this in mind you can see that the story already commences with death looming about. This sets the tone for the rest of the story. Death expresses many things within the context of the story. Such as: the loss of loved ones, her childhood, beginnings created from endings, and the list can go on and on. While the story progresses it is made much more clear as to what the true meaning of death represents. Right from beginning readers can understand a few things about Emily and what the townspeople …show more content…
As the changes come many of the people that were accustomed to their way of living can’t comprehend how to change in the new age that is ushering out towards them. Emily is one of the many that has to deal with these new changes, while refusing to be apart of it. Emily does many drastic things in order to secure a future that stays stagnant in the past. In the end it is seen as being unhealthy and everyone else moves on while leaving her in the dust. The great thing about “A Rose for Emily” is that it is still applicable today. There will always be traditions giving way to new radical changes. As people, you either decide to follow these changes or resist
The beginning of the story starts out with all of the townspeople attending Miss Emily’s funeral (1). With this in mind you can see that the story already commences with death looming about. This sets the tone for the rest of the story. Death expresses many things within the context of the story. Such as: the loss of loved ones, her childhood, beginnings created from endings, and the list can go on and on. While the story progresses it is made much more clear as to what the true meaning of death represents. Right from beginning readers can understand a few things about Emily and what the townspeople …show more content…
As the changes come many of the people that were accustomed to their way of living can’t comprehend how to change in the new age that is ushering out towards them. Emily is one of the many that has to deal with these new changes, while refusing to be apart of it. Emily does many drastic things in order to secure a future that stays stagnant in the past. In the end it is seen as being unhealthy and everyone else moves on while leaving her in the dust. The great thing about “A Rose for Emily” is that it is still applicable today. There will always be traditions giving way to new radical changes. As people, you either decide to follow these changes or resist