A Rose for Emily

It’s a human’s impulse to refuse change. However, some people may take it to the extreme. In “A Rose for Emily”, William Faulkner portrays what it would be like for people who refuse to change, and the difficulties they may encounter. By using point of view, symbolism, and foreshadowing, readers receive a warning of the fate which they may encounter.

Society is changing all around Emily, while she still refuses to embrace it. Faulkner uses the point of view of first person plural to help enhance his short story, “A Rose to Emily”. By using this point of view the society shows how distant from her peers Emily has really become. When she does venture outside of her home, she seems as if she is part of a whole new world. Sorrow and pity is felt for Emily, but even those few show her no remorse, “They broke open the cellar door and sprinkled lime there, and in all the outbuildings. As they recrossed the lawn, a window that had been dark was lighted and Miss Emily sat in it, the light behind her, and her upright torso motionless as that of an idol” (559). Emily has lived in the same town since she was a child, everyone knew who she was, but because of how she portrayed herself many of the townsfolk considered her an outsider and never tried getting to know her. The town kept to themselves and acted as though she never existed, making her life unpleasant and lonely. Even though Emily was in her own isolated world, nothing kept the town from talking about how wonderful they would be without her, “the next day we all said, “She will kill herself; and we said it would be the best thing.” (561).

Considering the use of symbols such as Emily’s house, and her Negro servant, “A Rose to Emily” could be considered an allegory. Miss Emily and her house are a representation of the decaying south, “It was big, squarish frame house that had once been white, decorated with cupolas and spires and scrolled balconies...only Miss Emily’s house was left, lifting its stubborn and...