Character Analysis in A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner

A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner is located in Jefferson, a small Southern town during the post- Civil War era. The story revolves around the eccentric and catastrophic events of Miss Emily Grierson’s life. At a first look, Miss Emily seems like a lonely woman with little self-confidence and low self-esteem, which is due from her father’s upbringing. There had to be some kind of neglect by her father because he made her lived such a sheltered life. He made her think that nobody was good enough for her and he even turned her away from his own family. From beginning to end, Emily turned into quite an odd character due to this type of sheltered life. In section one, the narrator of A Rose for Emily, is the voice of the town rather than a†¦show more content†¦This appalls the town and increases the aloofness and sympathy they have for Emily. They feel that she is overlooking her family pride and becoming involved with a man less than her rank. As the affair continues Emily’s rank is further compromised. The old people said, Poor Emily. Her kinsfolk should come to her (412). She goes to the drug store to purchase arsenic, a powerful poison, which is required by law to reveal how she will use of the arsenic. She presents no explanation and the package is labeled â€Å"For rats† (413). In section four, the narrator describes the horror that some of the townspeople have that Emily will use the poison to kill herself. The women of the town begin saying that her riding around in the buggy with Homer Barron, with no intent of marriage, was a Disgrace to the town and a bad example to the young people (413). The Baptist minister called upon her, but left and declined to return and a week later his wife wrote to Miss Emilys family in Alabama. Her family from Alabama came to her, even though there had been a diminishing relationship. Emily orders a silver toilet set in-scripted with Homer’s initials and bought a complete set of men’s clothing including a nightgown. This sparks wedding bells in the townspeople’s head and talk of marriage starts again. The townspeople thought that The two female cousins were even moreShow MoreRelatedCharacter Analysis of Emily Grierson in A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner757 Words   |  3 Pagesthis was a salute ... to a woman you would hand a rose† (Outà ³n 63), this is how William Faulkner is quoted when explaining the meaning for the title of his short story, â€Å"A Rose for Emily.† In his short story, Faulkner summarizes the life of a forsaken woman, whom, while heavily respected by her town, is also quite pitied. Faulkner works to give the reader a sense of empathy towards his character while he describes the tragedy that is her life. Emily Grierson, is eventually found to not be the onlyRead More Character Analysis of Emily Grierson in A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner555 Words   |  3 Pages Emily Grierson, referred to as Miss Emily throughout the story, is the main character of A Rose for Emily, written by William Faulkner. Emily is born to a proud, aristocratic family sometime during the Civil War; Miss Emily used to live with her father and servants, in a big decorated house. The Grierson Family considers themselves superior than other people of the town. According to Miss Emilys father none of the young boys were suitable for Miss Emily. Due to this attitude of Miss EmilysRead MoreEssay on William Faulkners A Rose for Emily1539 Words   |  7 PagesWilliam Faulkners A Rose for Emily As any reader can see, A Rose for Emily is one of the most authentic short stories by Faulkner. 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Modeled after the post-civil war era of the American south, Falkner transports the reader to the fictitious town of Jefferson and into the home of Miss Emily Grierson, a mysterious figure and longtime resident of YoknapatawphaRead MoreA Tale of Terror 1087 Words   |  4 PagesPeculiar characters, eerie settings, and strange events leading up to a horrifying ending are all effective ways in which authors present their readers with a terrifying tale to remember. William Faulkner’s â€Å"A Rose for Emily,† a short story about the odd Emily Grierson, a once well-respected woman in a small southern town, takes readers into a whirlwind of a story leading up to a horrifying discovery about Miss Emily’s secretive demeanor. 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As the townspeople gossip about her and develop various scenarios to account for her behaviors and the unknown details of her life, Emily GriersonRead MoreEssay A Rose for Emily: Literary Analysis 2990 Words   |  4 PagesENG 102 Analysis Research Paper 09-25-10 Literary Analysis William Faulkner’s short story â€Å"A Rose for Emily† carries a theme represented by a dying breed of that era, while using symbolism to represent tragedy, loneliness and some form of pride, the story also shows how far one will go to have the approval of others and the pursuit of happiness. In today’s times, a person’s image could mean everything in life and almost everyone tries to fit into the main stream in some form at some pointRead MoreAuthor of A Rose for Emily, William Faulkners Nobel Prize Essay707 Words   |  3 PagesAll I have to say about A Rose for Emily is that she was a crazy person! 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