A Rose for Emily Analysis Journal

Worksheet

Title of Story: A Rose for Emily

Date of Original Publication: 1931

Author’s Name: William Faulkner Birth:1897 Death: 1962

Name of Main Character (Protagonist) and description of that character’s dominant traits or features. Include the background and values of this character:

Miss Emily Grierson-

Miss Emily Grierson was an obese woman once it came to later in her life. She appeared as if she was bloated, “like a body long submerged in motionless water, and of that pallid hue. Her eyes (were) lost in the fatty ridge of her face.” Miss Emily also was very cold and dry, especially to the city officials. (Chapter 1). Miss Emily from her earlier years (younger than 30) was a slender and a still single woman. Her family and her self held themselves high, believing they were to good for anyone else. (Chapter 2) Miss Emily, now over the age of 30, was still a slight woman, though she was thinner than usual. She had “cold, haughty black eyes” with a strained face. (Chapter 3) Miss Emily, at death, had hair that was vigorous iron-gray. She was seventy-four and had grown fat. (Chapter 4)

Miss Emily’s background and values are very close to a stereotypical southern lady’s. Her father was controlling. Their family thought very highly of themselves. She was still stuck in her non-modern, traditional ways of life. She also appears to have her own law and conduct, which is shown to us when she refuses to pay her taxes and when she doesn’t state her reasoning for buying the poison.

Names of other characters with similar information. Also note what type of character you are discussing (antagonist, minor, peripheral):

Homer Barron (antagonist)-

Homer Barron is a “yankee, who is big, dark, ready man, with a big voice and eyes lighter than his face.” Homer is a man that is known by everyone. It was told that if you heard a laugh from the square, Homer was in the middle of the group. Homer liked men or though it appeared; he also went to Elk’s Club...