Interesting Literature

A Summary and Analysis of William Faulkner’s ‘A Rose for Emily’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘A Rose for Emily’ is a short story by William Faulkner, originally published in Forum in 1930 before being collected in Faulkner’s collection, These Thirteen , the following year. The story concerns an unmarried woman living in the American South who attracts the concern and suspicion of the townspeople after her father dies and she becomes romantically involved with a Yankee man from the North.

‘A Rose for Emily’ is a story that invites a number of different critical interpretations and has attracted a great deal of commentary and analysis. Before we analyse the meaning of Faulkner’s classic story, it might be worth recapping the plot.

‘A Rose for Emily’: plot summary

The story begins with the news that Miss Emily Grierson, a recluse living alone with a black servant in a large house in town, has died. The narrator, a kind of collective voice of the townspeople, tells us that everyone in the town attended the funeral, with many of the women being curious to see inside the woman’s house that nobody had been allowed inside for years.

We are told that ten years earlier, the aldermen of the town had gained access to her house in order to question her about failure to pay her taxes. She simply tells them that she does not owe any taxes to the town, and calls for her servant to show the men out. Thirty years before that, another group of men from the town had visited Emily Grierson’s home to sprinkle lime in the cellar and the outbuildings, in order to get rid of the smell coming from the house.

That was two years after the death of her father, a crayon portrait of whom stands on an easel in front of the fireplace. After her father’s death, Emily’s sweetheart had deserted her and Emily left the house only on very rare occasions. When the house had begun to smell a short while after, neighbours had complained to the mayor, but the mayor had been reluctant to confront Emily about such a delicate matter, hence the party of men sprinkling lime under and around the house.

The narrator tells us that the townspeople had always thought the Griersons held themselves in high regard, as if none of the men would be good enough for Emily. When her father died, the women turned up at her house to pay their condolences, but she denied that he had died. The doctors had to persuade Emily to bury the body.

Despite this odd behaviour, the townspeople didn’t consider Emily to be mad. They attributed her actions to her father’s controlling presence, and the way he had sent away all her potential suitors, forcing her to rely on him, even after his death.

After her father’s death, Emily was sick for a long while, and when she was seen again, she had cut her hair short to make her look like a girl. The following summer, a construction company arrived to pave the paths of the town, and the foreman, a Yankee from New York named Homer Barron, is seen out riding on Sundays with Emily. The townsfolk start to say, ‘Poor Emily’, believing that she cannot be seriously interested in a Northerner like Barron.

Emily purchases some arsenic from the local druggist, who assumes she will use it to kill rats. However, the rumour in the town is that Emily is planning to take her own life. People start to grow suspicious of the length of Emily’s courtship with Barron, with the minister intervening and the minister’s wife writing a concerned letter to Emily’s relatives in Alabama, and her cousins come to stay with her. Soon after this, the townsfolk became certain that Emily and Barron had married.

But then Homer Barron vanished, and nobody saw him again. Emily is barely seen either, and when she does reappear from the house, her hair has turned grey and she has put on weight. For a short while, Emily would give lessons in china-painting from her doorstep, but even this she eventually gave up. The townspeople grow up and move on and she becomes even more of a recluse. Her African-American servant loyally remains in her service, but nobody else goes into the house.

When Emily dies and her body is buried, the townsfolk finally venture into the upstairs bedroom in the house, where they discover the dead body of a man lying on the bed, surrounded by dust – presumably, the man is Homer Barron (though this is not stated). Next to the dead body is the indentation of a head and a long strand of Emily’s hair, suggesting that she was in the habit of lying next to the man’s body in the bed.

‘A Rose for Emily’: analysis

‘A Rose for Emily’ is a subtle story which blends first- and third-person narration, Gothic literature and realism, past memories and present events, to unsettle us as readers. The whole town appears to be the story’s narrator, a kind of collective ‘we’ which speaks together about – and against – Emily’s strange behaviour until we reach the chilling finale and Homer Barron’s body is discovered.

This means that Emily remains distant from us as readers, and we never learn about her inner life: we only ever see her from the outside, through the eyes of the townspeople. This is obviously fitting because Emily is an outsider in the town, but it also lends an air of mystery to the events recounted, because so little is understood of Emily’s motivations and emotions.

Because of this unnerving denouement, ‘A Rose for Emily’ is often regarded as an example of Southern Gothic : a literary mode, practised by writers of the American South (like Faulkner) whose stories and novels are characterised by macabre, horrific, or grotesque elements. Such fiction often also contains an accumulation of realist detail, and Faulkner allows the mood of uncanniness which pervades Emily’s house and her life to emerge gradually.

Her reluctance to give up her father’s body for burial, for example, foreshadows her (presumed) murder of her lover and concealment of his body in the upper bedroom, whom she killed when she realised that was the only way of holding onto him and ensuring he remained hers for good. The crumbling Gothic castle has become a house in the Southern United States, in which everything is ‘tarnished’ (note how often that word recurs), spoiled, fading (like Emily’s iron-grey hair), and falling to ruin.

This offers a new, more domestic take on a traditional trope in Gothic fiction: the dark secret threatening to destroy a ‘house’ or family (see Poe’s ‘ The Fall of the House of Usher ’ for one notable example from the nineteenth century), and (in many Gothic stories) the dead body that is only discovered at the end of the narrative.

But at least Poe’s protagonists managed to bury their bodies (although sometimes, as in the story just mentioned, before they were actually dead), or concealed them beneath the floorboards . Faulkner’s story instead hints at an altogether more morbid and unwholesome notion: that Emily has continued to ‘sleep’ with Homer even after he was dead (indeed, perhaps that was the only way she could sleep with him at all).

Another reason that the Southern Gothic tag is important for ‘A Rose for Emily’ is that Emily, a Southern lady, falls for a ‘Yankee’: a man from the North of the United States. Although the American Civil War ended in 1865, decades before Faulkner was writing, the sense of North-South divide, in terms of culture, class, and identity, proved long-lasting (and arguably persists to this day).

The townsfolk are appalled by the idea that Miss Emily, an aristocratic Southern lady, might seriously be considering marriage to a Northerner, whom they consider to be beneath her on the social scale (hence the reference to noblesse oblige : Emily should entertain Homer and be courteous to him, but the idea that she could marry such a man horrifies the Southern townspeople’s sensibilities).

Faulkner leaves many specific details of Emily’s relationship with Homer as mere hints and speculations, in keeping with the narrative mode of the story: the townspeople, shut out from her house and, in many ways, from her life, can only conjecture as to what happened. We are in a similar position, though it seems sensible enough to surmise that Emily fell in love with Homer – who, it is strongly suggested, had no intention of settling down with her.

Like Emily, he is a perpetual singleton, but whereas Emily is single because of the controlling influence of her father (an influence which persists, in its psychological hold on her, even after her father’s death), Homer is single by choice: a stark reminder of the gender differences between men and women in Southern society at this time.

Women like Emily attract concern and rumour if they remain unmarried, while the bachelor Homer Barron – whose name summons Greek heroism and nobility, while also hinting at the ‘barren’ nature of Emily’s would-be relationship with him – charms the townsfolk and becomes popular, despite being, like Emily, an outsider set apart from them.

Why does Faulkner title his story ‘A Rose for Emily’? In an interview he gave at the University of Virginia, he suggested that Emily deserved to be given a rose because of all of the torment she had endured: at the hands of her father, perhaps at the hands of Homer as well, and as a result of the townsfolk treating her like an outsider.

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Literary Theory and Criticism

Home › Literature › Analysis of William Faulkner’s A Rose for Emily

Analysis of William Faulkner’s A Rose for Emily

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on June 12, 2021

Initially published in Forum on April 30, 1930, and collected in These Thirteen in 1931, “A Rose for Emily” remains one of William Faulkner’s most read, most anthologized, and most significant stories. From every imaginable perspective, critics have scrutinized the components of Faulkner’s literary technique: The story has been viewed as an allegory of southern history, a metaphorical depiction of NorthSouth relationships, feminist nightmare or feminist victory, a gothic horror story, a sociological portrayal of individualism squelched or individualism triumphant, a bleak fictional tale of determinism. Faulkner’s uses of structure, tone, point of view, and imagery play key roles in his depiction of Miss Emily Grierson. The fact that readers and critics still engage in interpretive debates over its meaning merely ensures that it will continue to be read.

a rose for emily ap lit essay

Told from the perspective of Jefferson, in Yoknapatawpha County, in a narrative voice that consistently relates the details that “we”—the smug and gossipy townspeople of Jefferson—have observed, the story is intriguing on the level of plot and character alone: Miss Emily has just died, and we learn that she lived alone after her father died and Homer Baron, her Yankee lover, apparently abandoned her. Suspense continues to build when we learn that a mysterious odor emanated from her house at the time that Homer disappeared. Faulkner employs a number of clues to foreshadow both denouement and motivation, including the “tableau” of the imperious father with a horsewhip overshadowing his white-clad young daughter Emily; the portrait of her father that Emily displays at his death, despite his thwarting of her natural youthful desires; her defiant public appearances with the unsuitable Homer Baron; her sense of entitlement; and the arsenic she buys to rid her house of “rats.” Despite these and other devices, however, new generations of readers still react in horror when Emily’s secret is revealed: She not only murdered her lover but slept with his corpse in the attic bridal chamber she carefully prepared.

If Miss Emily is crazy (and most critics agree that she is), Faulkner implies that she has been made so by the constrictions of a father who refused to let her marry and by the conventions of a society that eagerly filled the void at his death. Numerous critics have suggested that behind the gothic horror of necrophilia and insanity in this classic story, Miss Emily Grierson is the oddly modern hero. Indeed, one critic asserts that we cannot understand any of Faulkner’s heroes if we do not understand Miss Emily, for she is the “prototype” of them all (Strindberg 877). As with other troubled Faulknerian protagonists, death literally frees Miss Emily—from patriarchy, from society’s conventions, from sexual repression, from the class structure she was taught to revere, from the useless existence of privileged women of her era, even from the burdens of southern history and slavery: With her death, her black servant, mysteriously complicit in his relation to Miss Emily, walks out of her house at the end of the story. In an interview at the University of Virginia, Faulkner suggested that Miss Emily deserved a rose for all the torment she had endured, and, whatever else they feel, most readers appear to agree with this sentiment.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Blotner, Joseph. Faulkner: A Biography. 2 Vols. New York: Random House, 1974. Rev. ed., New York: Random House, 1984. Carothers, James. Faulkner’s Short Stories. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1985. Faulkner, William. “A Rose for Emily.” In Collected Short Stories. New York: Random House, 1940. Ferguson, James. Faulkner’s Short Fiction. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1991. Strindberg, Victor. “A Rose for Emily.” In Reader’s Guide to Short Fiction, edited by Noelle Watson, 577. Detroit: St. James Press, 1993.

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William Faulkner: A Rose for Emily. Summary and analysis

Tabla de contenidos, summary of “a rose for emily”..

“A Rose for Emily,” a work by William Faulkner, a prominent author in American literature, initially published in 1930, is a story that delves into the themes of decline, isolation and resistance to change. The story, narrated by an unidentified observer, takes place in a Southern town and centers on the figure of Emily Grierson, a woman who becomes something of an enigma and object of curiosity to the community’s inhabitants.

The story begins with Emily’s death and the town’s inhabitants’ interest in visiting her home, a place closed to the outside world for many years. A series of flashbacks reveals crucial details of Emily’s life and her complex relationship with the town.

Emily, described as a relic of the past, resides in a once stately home, now dilapidated, symbolizing the decay of herself and traditional Southern values. Her father, an authoritative and controlling figure in life, had driven away all of Emily’s suitors, so she was left unmarried after his death. Emily’s refusal to acknowledge her father’s death for three days after his passing is the first indication of her disconnect with reality.

The arrival of Homer Barron, a laborer from the North, introduces a new chapter in Emily’s life. Despite the town’s rumors and skepticism, Emily and Homer seem to develop a relationship. However, Homer mysteriously disappears, and Emily secludes herself in her home, reaffirming her image as a lonely and mysterious figure.

After Emily’s death, the inhabitants discover that Homer’s corpse is lying on a bed in a locked room, along with a lock of gray hair presumed to be Emily’s. This revelation suggests a macabre and haunting connection between Emily and her once furtive lover.

The story explores resistance to change, the impact of rigid social structures and extreme loneliness. The fragmented, non-linear narrative, typical of Faulkner’s style, creates a sense of mystery and depth, allowing the reader to piece together Emily’s story and its meaning gradually. The story also examines the decline of the Old South and certain characters’ inability to adapt to social and temporal changes.

William Faulkner

William Faulkner : A Rose for Emily

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Characters and their development throughout the narrative.

In “A Rose for Emily,” Faulkner presents a small but significant set of characters whose development is closely intertwined with the work’s central themes. The narrative is built around Emily Grierson but also includes secondary figures who contribute to the evolution of the plot and deepen the themes Faulkner develops in his story.

Emily Grierson: Emily is the central character of the story. Throughout the narrative, she is shown to transition from being a young girl in a prominent family to becoming a mysterious recluse. After the death of her father, a domineering and controlling being who rejected all her suitors, Emily finds herself alone and isolated. This isolation worsens over time, driving her into a state of denial and delusion, especially evident in her refusal to accept her father’s death and later in her relationship with Homer Barron. Emily is a complex character who represents resistance to change, the influence of the past and oppressive social norms.

Homer Barron: A Northern laborer, represents change and modernity that challenges Southern traditions. His relationship with Emily is viewed with suspicion and disapproval by the townspeople. The relationship never culminates in marriage, and mysteriously, Homer disappears. At the end of the story, it is revealed that this disappearance was caused by Emily, who poisoned him and then kept his body in a room in the old house. The figure of Homer and his ultimate fate are crucial to understanding the depth of Emily’s isolation and disturbance.

Emily’s father: Although dead before most of the events recounted in the story, the influence of Emily’s father is a constant presence. His control over Emily and his rejection of her suitors leave a profound mark on her psyche, contributing to her isolation and eventual imbalance. The father figure symbolizes the social restrictions and gender expectations of the time.

The community: Although not a “character” in the traditional sense, the community plays a vital role in the story. It serves as a Greek chorus, observing and commenting on Emily’s life. The town’s attitude toward Emily reflects the social norms and prejudices of the time. Their curiosity and gossip contribute to the narrative’s tone of mystery and judgment.

The development of these characters takes place through a series of flashbacks and anecdotes, which gradually reveal the complexity of their lives and relationships. Faulkner uses these characters to explore the various themes he develops in the story, creating a narrative fabric in which each character contributes to the plot and the more significant meaning of the story.

William Faulkner - Una rosa para Emily. Resumen y análisis - Imagen 1

The setting of “A Rose for Emily”.

The play is set in a small town in the southern United States, in a time spanning from the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. This context is crucial, reflecting the South’s social and cultural tensions in transition after the Civil War.

Emily Grierson’s house: Emily’s house is a character and critical symbol in the story. Once stately and respected, it becomes a decrepit and decaying structure surrounded by garages and cotton tents. This physical transformation of the house reflects Emily’s physical and emotional deterioration and the decline of the Old South and its values. The house, with its locked rooms and dusty, stagnant atmosphere, is also a crucial setting for the story’s climax and final revelation.

The Southern Town: The town reflects the post-Civil War South, grappling with social and economic changes. The narrative highlights the transitioning from a society based on old honor codes and social hierarchies to a more modern, less stratified one. This change is illustrated in how the town’s characters interact with Emily and her family and how these changes affect their perception of them.

The era: The story spans several decades, allowing Faulkner to explore the impact of time on people and societies. The transition from the 19th century to the 20th century brought significant changes to the South, including attitudes toward class, gender, and the legacy of the Civil War. Emily’s resistance to these changes, symbolized by her house and lifestyle, reflects the tension between the past and the present.

Writing techniques employed by Faulkner in “A Rose for Emily.”

Non-linear and fragmented narrator: Faulkner opts for a non-linear narrative structure, moving back and forth in time. This technique creates a sense of mystery and allows the story to unfold gradually, revealing critical details at strategic moments. The fragmented narrative reflects the theme of decay and chaos, both in Emily’s life and Southern society.

Collective Narrator: The story is narrated by an unnamed narrator who represents the collective perspective of the townspeople. This approach creates distance between Emily and the reader while at the same time providing a panoramic view of how the community views and judges Emily and her family. This technique reinforces the themes of gossip, isolation, and social judgment.

Language: Faulkner is known for his rich and poetic use of language. In “A Rose for Emily,” he employs descriptive language to create a dense and evocative atmosphere. For example, the detailed descriptions of Emily’s house are vital to establishing the somber tone and decay that permeate the story.

Symbolism: The story is loaded with symbolism. Emily’s house, for example, symbolizes the decline of the Old South. At the same time, the rose of the title has been interpreted in various ways, including as a symbol of love and compassion for Emily. These symbols enrich the narrative, providing additional layers of meaning.

Themes and Motifs: Faulkner weaves several themes and motifs throughout the story, including death, the passage of time, and resistance to change. The use of these themes contributes to the depth and complexity of the story, allowing for multiple interpretations.

Character Psychology: Throughout his narrative, Faulkner deeply explores the psychology of his characters, especially Emily. This detailed approach offers intimate insight into their motivations, fears, and desires, which adds significant richness to the narrative.

In “A Rose for Emily,” Faulkner’s narrative style is complex and meticulously crafted. His non-linear approach, coupled with a collective narrator, richly descriptive language, use of symbolism, and in-depth exploration of themes and character psychology, creates a work that not only tells the story of a woman and a people but also offers a meditation on broader themes such as time, change, and memory.

Narrative point of view

Collective Narrator: The use of “we” in the narrative suggests that the narrator is a cooperative witness, representing the opinions, perceptions, and prejudices of the village community. This collective point of view is essential to understanding the relationship between Emily and the surrounding society. The narrator is not an individual but a composite voice reflecting the mindset and attitudes of the community.

Limited perspective: Despite witnessing the events in Emily’s life, the narrators have limited knowledge of her inner thoughts, feelings, and motivations. This limitation reinforces the mystery surrounding Emily and her story, as the reader only receives the information filtered through the perspective of the community’s inhabitants.

Implications of judgment and prejudice: By telling the story from the townspeople’s point of view, Faulkner allows the prejudices and judgments of the community to become part of the narrative. How the townspeople talk about Emily and her family reveals their social norms, expectations, and attitudes toward change and decay.

Distancing from the main character: Through this point of view, Emily is presented as an object of fascination and speculation, but she is always kept at an emotional distance from the reader. This distancing intensifies the aura of isolation and mystery surrounding her character.

Reliability of the narrator: The collective narrator in “A Rose for Emily” is unreliable. His account is tinged by gossip and community perceptions, which can lead to biased interpretations of events. This aspect adds a layer of complexity to the story, as the reader must discern reality from the narrator’s perceptions and biases.

William Faulkner - Una rosa para Emily. Resumen y análisis - Imagen 2

Main themes addressed in the story

Isolation and loneliness: Emily Grierson is a profoundly isolated character, both physically and emotionally. This isolation is exacerbated by the death of her father and her inability to form meaningful relationships with others. Emily’s loneliness reflects her internal struggle and disconnection from the outside world.

Resistance to change: Resistance to change is a central theme in the story. Emily symbolizes it, clinging to traditions and ways of life. Her refusal to accept the death of her father and her relationship with Homer Barron are examples of her refusal to accept reality and adapt to change.

Decay: The story explores decay in the physical sense, with Emily’s house, and in the social and moral sense. The decay of Emily’s house parallels her own physical and mental deterioration and the decline of the traditions and values of the Old South.

Death: Death is a constant presence in the story, from the death of Emily’s father to her death and the revelation of Homer Barron’s corpse. Death is used to explore themes of loss, fear of loneliness, and the psychological impact of mortality.

Social Classes and Gender: The story addresses class differences and gender expectations in the South during the post-Civil War period. Emily, belonging to a family of high social standing, faces specific expectations due to her gender and class. Her relationship with Homer Barron, who represents a different social class and culture, challenges these norms.

Madness and obsession: Emily’s story also explores madness and obsession. Her behavior towards her dead father and Homer Barron suggests a disturbed mind, unable to accept reality and obsessed with maintaining control over her loved ones, even in death.

Tradition vs. modernity: The story reflects the conflict between the traditions of the Old South and the arrival of modernity. This theme is seen in Emily’s resistance to the new generations and how the community perceives her home and behavior.

Historical and cultural context

Published in 1930, the story is set in a small town in the southern United States and spans the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. This context reflects several significant social and cultural dynamics:

Post-American Civil War: The story is set in the South after the American Civil War. This era was one of significant social and economic change. The abolition of slavery and the defeat of the South led to a change in traditional social structures. This period was also marked by a struggle for reconstruction and the redefinition of Southern identity.

Reconstruction and resentment: The Reconstruction period saw attempts to integrate the defeated Southern states into the Union and to establish civil rights for formerly enslaved people. However, there was also strong resentment among many Southerners over these transformations, leading to racial and social tensions.

Decline of the Old South: Faulkner presents the Old South through Emily’s house and lifestyle. The physical decay of the house symbolizes the decay of a way of life and a set of values. The story captures the loss and nostalgia for an era that is disappearing.

Change vs. tradition: The South is transitioning, struggling between maintaining traditions and adapting to new changes. This is reflected in Emily’s resistance to accepting change in her life and her community.

Gender roles and social class: During this period, gender expectations and roles were firmly entrenched. As a woman from a high-status family, Emily faces specific pressures. Her isolation and defiant behavior can also be seen as a reaction to these restrictions.

Southern culture: Faulkner, a native of the American South, infuses the story with an intimate understanding of Southern culture. The importance of family reputation, honor, and community perceptions are central elements in the tale.

William Faulkner - Una rosa para Emily. Resumen y análisis - Imagen 3

Conclusions or lessons to be drawn from the story.

Rather than offering direct conclusions or lessons, “A Rose for Emily” invites reflection on several critical aspects of human nature and society.

Impact of social isolation: The story illustrates how extreme isolation and lack of social interaction can lead to disorientation and madness. Emily Grierson, isolated first by her father and then by her own choices, shows how a lack of social connection can lead to destructive behavior and a distorted perception of reality.

Resistance to change and its consequences: The story reflects the struggle between change and tradition. Emily becomes a symbol of resistance to change, which ultimately leads to her ruin. This highlights that clinging to the past can impede personal growth and adaptation to new realities.

Effects of oppression and control: The oppressive influence of Emily’s father and the social expectations of the time illustrate how oppression and control can warp a person’s psyche. This suggests a critique of restrictive social structures and the imposition of rules that limit individual freedom.

Decay and death as universals: The story addresses the inevitability of decay and death in physical and symbolic terms. Emily’s story and the decay of her house are metaphors for mortality and the inevitable passage of time, universal themes in the human experience.

Reflection on social norms: The play also critiques social norms and how the community judges and labels individuals. The story questions the role of hearsay and community perceptions in shaping a person’s identity and reputation.

The importance of understanding and empathy: Although Emily is a tragic figure, the story invites readers to understand and empathize with her situation. This suggests a lesson about the importance of seeking to understand the struggles and contexts of others before judging them.

In conclusion, “A Rose for Emily” does not offer direct or explicit moral lessons; instead, it provides fertile ground for meditation on complex issues such as isolation, change, oppression, and the nature of society. Faulkner uses Emily’s story to explore these themes in a way that invites readers to reflect deeply on their meaning and relevance in the larger world.

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A Rose for Emily Theme Analysis

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I. introduction, a. "a rose for emily" by william faulkner is a timeless classic that delves into the complexities of human nature and societal norms. set in the fictional town of jefferson, the story follows the life of emily grierson, a reclusive woman whose mysterious actions captivate the townspeople., b. thesis statement: the theme of isolation in "a rose for emily" highlights the impact of societal expectations on an individual's mental health. throughout the narrative, faulkner skillfully portrays the consequences of isolation and the detrimental effects of conforming to societal standards., ii. emily's isolation from society, a. from the outset, signs of emily's isolation are evident. she is portrayed as a recluse, rarely seen in public and shrouded in mystery. her secluded lifestyle raises questions among the townspeople, leading to speculation and gossip., b. various factors contribute to emily's isolation, including her domineering father's influence and the town's rigid expectations of her. the pressure to adhere to societal norms and maintain her family's reputation weighs heavily on emily, pushing her further into seclusion., c. the effects of emily's isolation on her mental state are profound. as the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that her solitude has taken a toll on her psyche. her erratic behavior and detachment from reality point to the damaging consequences of prolonged isolation., iii. society's role in emily's isolation, a. society's expectations play a significant role in emily's isolation. the townspeople hold her to a high standard, expecting her to uphold the traditions of the past and conform to their ideals of propriety. this pressure only serves to exacerbate emily's feelings of isolation and alienation., b. the consequences of society's treatment of emily are far-reaching. she is judged and ostracized by the community, forced to live up to their unrealistic expectations while grappling with her own inner turmoil. the town's collective judgment further isolates emily, driving her deeper into seclusion., c. in comparison to other characters in the story, emily's isolation stands out as particularly tragic. while others may experience moments of loneliness or alienation, emily's isolation is all-encompassing, shaping her entire existence. faulkner uses emily's character to explore the devastating impact of societal pressure and the toll it can take on an individual's mental health., d. emily's struggle with tradition and change is a central theme in "a rose for emily." throughout the story, emily resists the changing world around her, clinging to the traditions of the past. her refusal to adapt to societal norms and embrace progress ultimately leads to her isolation and downfall., e. the tension between tradition and progress is palpable in the story, highlighting the clash between old ways and new ideas. emily's inability to reconcile these conflicting forces results in her alienation from society and ultimately her tragic demise., f. emily's struggle with tradition and change also impacts her relationships with others. her refusal to conform to societal expectations creates a barrier between herself and the townspeople, making it difficult for her to form meaningful connections. this isolation further deepens her sense of loneliness and detachment from the world around her..

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a rose for emily ap lit essay

132 A Rose for Emily Essay Topics & Examples

🏆 best a rose for emily essay prompts & examples, 📌 good a rose for emily essay prompts, 👍 simple & easy a rose for emily essay topics, 🎓 most interesting a rose for emily essay topics, ❓ a rose for emily essay questions.

If you struggle to write a character analysis, essay, or even a sole thesis statement for A Rose for Emily, this article will be helpful. Our experts have gathered titles so that you can explore the story’s symbolism, isolation, death, and more.

Tip #1. Select your topic.

A professor may assign a certain topic. In this case, think about the type of your future paper: whether it is a critical review or literary analysis.

Understanding the essay type will help you narrow your research focus. In case you can choose A Rose for Emily essay topics on your own, you’ll have to do a little more work.

You must brainstorm ideas and pick up the one that you find interesting. You can use IvyPanda paper samples as a source of inspiration.

Tip #2. Outline your ideas.

The next step in your writing is an organisation of your thoughts. You can use mind mapping tools or simply put your thoughts to paper. This exercise will allow you to organize A Rose for Emily essay ideas and key arguments into the logical flow.

Tip #3. Compose A Rose for Emily thesis statement.

The next step after you have chosen a topic, you need to master a thesis statement. It should state the topic and provide your point of view.

Tip #4. Write the essay body.

You may say that the introduction should come first in the paper. Although, we suggest you to write the body.

Each paragraph must start with an introductory sentence where you point the issue you’re going to discuss in it. Then add supporting arguments and examples. Divide each idea into a separate section.

Tip #5. Write A Rose for Emily essay introduction.

After you’ve mastered the thesis and body of your essay, it’s time to write an intro. Here’re some essentials you must know when composing it: first, start with an attention grabbing hook.

Then reveal your thesis statement. As an attention grabber you can use a quote or a story. Make sure it connects with your thesis statement.

Tip #6. Write A Rose for Emily essay conclusion.

In conclusion, you should sum up all the ideas you represented in the essay. Write three to five strong sentences that review key points and restate your thesis statement.

Tip #7. Add finishing touches.

The final stage of essay writing is a revision. Read your essay once or twice and pay attention to the small details: the paragraph order; grammar, punctuation and spelling mistakes, etc. Check if the paper meets all the instructions and the chosen citation style fits the requirements.

At this step you may want to add a few phrases or sentences for a better connection of your thoughts and ideas.

Ask your somebody to proofread the essay in case you might miss any mistake.

That’s all. Seven simple steps will help you to write an A+ paper. Now you know how to compose your essay.

Do you find yourself wondering what you can discuss in A Rose for Emily essay? Grab some sample topic questions below:

  • What is the role of the southern storytelling style in the story?
  • Does the non-chronological order of story affect readers’ perception? How?
  • How does the author build suspense? Is it effective?
  • Why did the murderer of Homer Barron remain unknown until Emily’s death?
  • Analyze the portrayal of social structure of the South in the book. How does Faulkner describe changes in the early twentieth century?

If you want more helpful samples and suggestions to help you achieve your best, check our website!

  • William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” Reaction Paper In this reaction paper to one of the most prominent Faulkner’s works, I attempt to describe and analyze the strategies that the author used to make this conflict acute and sympathetic to the reader.
  • Importance of Point of View in “A Rose for Emily” On the one hand, it depends on the person who is telling the story; on the other hand, it is determined by the level of the narrator’s awareness.
  • The Symbolism of the House in “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner The author identifies the decaying symbolism of the house in the text through the author’s constant mentions of dust, which fills the Griersons’ mansion: “faint and invisible dust dry and acrid in the nostrils”.
  • “A Rose for Emily” by W. Faulkner: Symbolism and Themes In “A Rose for Emily,” the theme of adapting to the changing environment is developed through the character of Miss Grierson and her reluctance to the changes.
  • A Rose for Emily A rose for Emily is one of the books that is rich in styles that are employed to bring a clear picture of the theme story.
  • “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner: The Last Paragraph Although he uses the aspect of foreshadowing to relate to the tragic end of the story, the final paragraph comes as a shock to the reader.
  • Emily Grierson in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner The character of Emily Grierson in William Faulkner’s short story, “A Rose for Emily”, leaves the reader in dilemma as to whether Emily is the protagonist or the antagonist.
  • Social Picture of US Southern Society: “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner In the short story, Faulkner portrays that the beginning of the 1900s was marked by great social and economic changes but many people fail to accommodate their life to new social relations and a new […]
  • Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”: Discussion and Analysis The author emphasizes the theme of gender roles and their perception in the story of Emily and the rest of the town.
  • A Rose for Emily: A Short Story by William Faulkner However, in the course of the third part of the story, Faulkner quickly shifts from Miss Emily and Homer conjuring up some form of a relationship to discussing her purchasing the poison.
  • Grotesque in “A Rose for Emily” by W. Faulkner One of the most appealing aspects of William Faulkner’s short story A Rose for Emily is that the readers’ exposure to the main character of Emily Grierson provides them with a better understanding of what […]
  • “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner In conclusion, A Rose for Emily is an excellent example of the Southern Gothic genre. A Rose for Emily illustrates the Southern Gothic genre by reating it to Homer’s murder.
  • Nobility vs. Femininity: Overcoming Gender Norms in Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” The plot of the story follows the life and death of a Southern woman Emily Grierson, mostly in the period after the Civil War.
  • A Rose for Emily and The Yellow Wallpaper: Compare & Contrast That is one of the main dangers that people should be aware of. This is one of the main points that can be made.
  • Plot Means in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner The frozen in time quality of the setting, combined with the images of “coquettish decay,” underscore Miss Emily Grierson’s inability to free herself from the memory of her father and of the past.
  • Character Analysis of A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner This essay discusses the character of the Townspeople with regard to the development of the themes and plot of the story.
  • Protagonist’s Choices in Faulkner’s A Rose for Emily Arguably, Emily’s actions and choices in life are wrong and in contrast to the social expectations because of the impact her overly controlling and manipulative father had on her early upbringing.
  • Faulkner’s A Rose for Emily and Wright’s The Man Who Was Almost a Man William Faulkner’s A Rose for Emily, set in Jefferson during the decades preceding and following the start of the twentieth century, depicts how an innocent girl, Emily Grierson, is driven to madness.
  • The Lost Cause Interpretation of Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” Another interesting feature of the story is the couple of main topics of the work: the changes in the South and societal issues in general.
  • William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” and the Confederacy The third element of the Lost Cause myth is that the Confederacy was lost as a result of the high numerical that the Northern states had.
  • Gender Roles in “A Rose for Emily”: Quotation Analysis This quote can be used to emphasize how detached from the human essence and, accordingly, the gender of Miss Emily is reflected by the author.
  • O’Brien’s The Things They Carried and Faulkner’s A Rose for Emily It further assesses the impact of the mode in which the information in the books is arranged compared to if it were set in a sequential manner.
  • Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” as Gothic Romance In the story, the reader can share the experience of necrophilia and explore the components of decay by observing Emily who plays a dual part as both the subject and the object of necrophilia.
  • “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner and “Those Who Walk Away From Omelas” by Le Guin In a way, the narrator serves as a guide in the made-up city that seems utopian until the readers find out about the child suffering in the basement and guaranteeing the happiness of everybody else […]
  • Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”: Emily Grierson Characteristics The death of her father comes as a relief to her. Society wants her to live in the past that is already behind her.
  • The Use of Symbolic Meaning in “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner Losing her hair is a tragedy for a woman, and this symbol is also an implication of Emily’s life tragedy as she loses her love and has a life of wasting. Also, Emily isolated herself […]
  • “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner, “The Handsomest Man Drowned in the World” by Marques, and “Cathedral” by Carver Initially, it seems to them that this is just some see animal or even whale though later they understand that this is the body of a human being.
  • William Faulkner: Symbols in the Narrative of “A Rose for Emily” In the first place, the family house where Emily and her deceased father lived is one of the central symbolic images of the story.
  • Themes and Writing Styles in “A Rose for Emily” and “The House on Mango Street” The House on Mango Street is a work of fiction, but the author breaks the conventional rules of form and plot.
  • Women’s Character in Hurston’s “Sweat” and Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” The theme of the story is to present the character of a “lady” and her behavior in society, her actions, and justifications for them.
  • Miss Emily Grierson’s Character Analysis: “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner Her assumed insanity was to be expected after all the things she has endured the loss of a mother while growing up, the death of a father, the sudden loss of a charmed way of […]
  • A Rose for Emily Literary Analysis To gain an understanding of the story within a brief analysis, it is necessary to examine the story’s plot, characterization, point of view, theme, symbols, and setting.
  • A Rose for Emily: Faulkner’s Short Story vs. Chubbuck’s Film Curry believed that the “stylistics of Faulkner’s language…serves to subordinate Emily, ostensibly the subject of the tale, and to elevate the town as the truer subject”.
  • “A Rose for Emily” and “Letter of John Rolfe” An illustration to explain that this is nonfiction is the fact that it states, “This is a copy of the gentleman’s letters to Sir Thomas Dale.
  • Binary Opposition in Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” To transmit the message, Faulkner uses three binary oppositions: death life, the old the new, and the North the South. In this passage, Emily is compared to the soldiers who fell in the Civil War […]
  • A Rose for Emily by Faulkner: Garrison’s Analysis In his examination of the story “A Rose for Emily,” Garrison presents an entirely different method of examination as compared to previous critiques of the story wherein he focuses on the way in which the […]
  • A Rose for Emily and A Good Man Is Hard to Find In order to highlight this idea, the writers focus on the values and worldviews of the characters who prefer to live in the imaginary world of their past.
  • “A Rose for Emily” and “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” Having started with the announcement of her death, the author then reveals the main facts of her life from the point of view of the community of the city.
  • Literature Studies: William Faulkner’s A Rose for Emily The author focuses on the life of Emily Grierson who once belonged to the Southern aristocracy; however, she is forced to adjust to the changes that American society underwent. This is one of the main […]
  • “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner: A Thought-Provoking Novel First of all, the author enables the readers to feel the atmosphere of the American South after the end of the Civil War.
  • A Rose for Emily and The Guest After such an examination, a comparison will be done with the character of the Arab with the climax of the examination of the character culminating in the scene involving the 1,000 francs and the decision […]
  • Aspect of Human Experience Faulkner presents death in the story through death-haunted life of Emily. Emily also refuses to acknowledge the death of Homer, though she was responsible for his death.
  • Relationships in the Small Town: “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner In this passage, close to the end of the short story A Rose for Emily, and at the end of Miss Emily’s life as an eccentric figure in the life of the town, Faulkner literally […]
  • Social Victimization in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner This is because it was namely the fact that, ever since her early years Emily was indoctrinated to believe that she had no other option but to live up to the expectations of her traditionally […]
  • Critique for ‘A Rose for Emily’ The focus of this paper is to analyze the article, A Romance to Kill For: Homicidal Complicity in Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” published in the journal of Studies in Short Fiction in terms of […]
  • The Voice of Faulkner The death of Addie is also one of the dark and disturbing components of the narration. The end of the story illustrates that the entire piece has been a flashback since it talks about the […]
  • Stylistic Devices in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner One of the stylistic devices employed by Faulkner in the story A Rose for Emily is the use of the third person plural point of view of course through hearsay.
  • Solitude as a Theme in The Yellow Wallpaper & A Rose for Emily She is an embodiment of a great breakthrough in the fact that she rediscovers her new energy and point of view.
  • William Faulkner and His Rose for Emily A Rose for Emily is the story that is characterized by numerous critical opinions: readers found the story interesting, unusual, and educative; and critics tried to admit as many negative or weak points as possible […]
  • The Virtue of Moving Forward in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner The misery of those who are unable to accept the reality and to get free from the influence of the past is the main theme of William Faulkner’s short story “A Rose for Emily”, where […]
  • The Fear of Change and Abandonment in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Symbol of Emily’s House in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Spirit Power of Women in an Act of Vengeance by Isabel Allende and “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Theme of Appearance Versus Reality in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Undying Love for Emily in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”
  • The Signs of Poverty, Neglect, and Stubbornness in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Use of Gothic Elements in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Psychosis of Emily Grierson in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Struggles With Depression and Uncontrollable Changes in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”
  • The Use of Symbolism in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Concept of Conflict Between the New and the Old in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • An Analysis of the Archetypes in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • Theme of Death in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”
  • The Attempts of Emily to Stop the Passage of Time in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Crime of Love in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Portrayal of the Passing in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”
  • The Value of Human Relationship and the Effects of a Loss on a Person’s Outlook in Life in “A Rose for Emily”
  • The Use of the Role of Male Figure in “A Rose for Emily”
  • The Vicious Cycle of Control in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Use of Personality Traits to Foreshadow in Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”
  • The Conflict Between the Older and Younger Generations During a Time for Change in the South in “A Rose for Emily”
  • The Mystery of the Rose and the Narrator in “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner
  • An Analysis of Plot Synchronicity in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Use of First Person Minor Point of View in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Masterful Use of Language in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Use of Symbolism and Characterization in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Patriarchal Society: “The Story of an Hour” and “A Rose for Emily”
  • Use of Symbolism in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Importance of the Minor Characters in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Symbolic Meaning of Emily in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Significance of the Townspeople and Emily’s Father in “A Rose for Emily”
  • The Theme of Self-Isolation and Symbolism of Rose in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Tragedies of War as Explained in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”
  • The Use of Time to Enhance Details of the Setting in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • Why Emily Committed Murder: Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”
  • The Pursuit of Love: The Portrayal of Women in “A Rose for Emily”
  • The Elements Used to Produce the Character of Emily in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”
  • The Underlying Grotesque in Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”
  • The Impact of Imagery in Illustrating the Story of “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Role of Men in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • An Analysis of Emily’s Struggle in the Short Story “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Universal Symbol of Love in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Representation of Miss Emily as an Extended Metaphor in Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”
  • The Weaknesses and Insecurities of Emily in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Use of the Same Setting in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • The Peculiar Style of the Short Story “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
  • What Details Support That Faulkner Uses Symbolism in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • Why Did Emily From “A Rose for Emily” Buy Arsenic?
  • What Is Important About the Title of the Short Story “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Are the Conflicts in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • How Does William Faulkner Reveal Character in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • How Do the Themes in “A Rose for Emily” Relate to the Plot and Characters?
  • What Is the Role of Wife and Mother in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Is Significant About the Gray Hair at the End of “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Is the Metaphor in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Is the Central/Primary Purpose of “A Rose for Emily”?
  • How Essential Is the Setting to the Story “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Is the Role of Women in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Mental Illness Did Emily Have In “A Rose for Emily”?
  • How Do the Symbols in “A Rose for Emily” Relate to the Plot and Characters?
  • What Is the Moral Lesson of “A Rose for Emily”?
  • Is Emily From “A Rose for Emily” a Victim or a Predator?
  • What Is the Main Problem in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • Does Any Uncertainty Remain in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Is Emily’s Place in the Socio-Economic Structure of ‘“A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Is the Conclusion in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Is the Author’s Purpose of “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Is the Relationship Between Miss Emily and Her Father in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • Is Emily’s Father to Blame for Insanity in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Are Literary Devices in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Causes the Smell Around Emily’s House in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Are the Elements in the Story of “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Are the Multiple Meanings for the “Rose” in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • Who Is the Antagonist in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Kind of Language Does the Author Use in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Kind of Narrator Is the Character Who Tells Miss Emily’s Story From “A Rose for Emily”?
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A Rose for Emily

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COMMENTS

  1. A Rose for Emily Study Guide

    The best study guide to A Rose for Emily on the planet, from the creators of SparkNotes. Get the summaries, analysis, and quotes you need.

  2. A Rose for Emily Essay

    A. English Literature 26 September 2016 The Tragic Life of Emily Grierson In "A Rose for Emily," Faulkner describes a true outsider, concealed from society behind the walls of a dank and dusty old house.

  3. A Summary and Analysis of William Faulkner's 'A Rose for Emily'

    'A Rose for Emily' is a story that invites a number of different critical interpretations and has attracted a great deal of commentary and analysis. Before we analyse the meaning of Faulkner's classic story, it might be worth recapping the plot.

  4. Analysis of William Faulkner's A Rose for Emily

    Analysis of William Faulkner's A Rose for Emily. Initially published in Forum on April 30, 1930, and collected in These Thirteen in 1931, "A Rose for Emily" remains one of William Faulkner's most read, most anthologized, and most significant stories. From every imaginable perspective, critics have scrutinized the components of Faulkner ...

  5. A Rose for Emily Sample Essay Outlines

    Outline I. Thesis Statement: William Faulkner's extensive use of foreshadowing in "A Rose for Emily" prepares the reader for the ultimate and shocking fate of Miss Emily and Homer Barron. II.

  6. A Rose for Emily Study Guide

    Explore William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" with our comprehensive study guide. Dive into themes, characters, and literary devices. Unlock the mystery! 🕵️‍♂️🌹

  7. A Rose for Emily: Section 1 Summary & Analysis

    Need help with Section 1 in William Faulkner's A Rose for Emily? Check out our revolutionary side-by-side summary and analysis.

  8. A Rose for Emily Themes

    Need help on themes in William Faulkner's A Rose for Emily? Check out our thorough thematic analysis. From the creators of SparkNotes.

  9. Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily": Discussion and Analysis Essay

    "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner clearly portrays the consequences of maintaining a timeless lifestyle that goes without attempting to move forward or make any sacrifices.

  10. A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner

    For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Back to Library

  11. PDF English 4 AP Winter Break Assignment

    Look at Part V of "A Rose for Emily" and annotate the passage for literary devices such as diction, syntax and imagery. Then in a well-developed paragraph or paragraphs analyze how Faulkner's style reinforces one of the themes of the story.

  12. William Faulkner: A Rose for Emily. Summary and analysis

    Summary of "A Rose for Emily". "A Rose for Emily," a work by William Faulkner, a prominent author in American literature, initially published in 1930, is a story that delves into the themes of decline, isolation and resistance to change. The story, narrated by an unidentified observer, takes place in a Southern town and centers on the ...

  13. AP® English Literature

    Complex Attitudes in "A Rose for Emily". Section II of this exam requires answers in essay form. Each essay will be judged on its clarity and effectiveness in dealing with the assigned topic and on the quality of the writing. In responding to Question 3, select only a work of literary merit that will be appropriate to the question.

  14. A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner Plot Summary

    Get all the key plot points of William Faulkner's A Rose for Emily on one page. From the creators of SparkNotes.

  15. A Rose For Emily Theme Analysis: [Essay Example], 607 words

    A. "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner is a timeless classic that delves into the complexities of human nature and societal norms. Set in the fictional town of Jefferson, the story follows the life of Emily Grierson, a reclusive woman whose mysterious actions captivate the townspeople. B. Thesis statement: The theme of isolation in "A Rose ...

  16. A Rose for Emily Essays and Criticism

    The principal contrast in William Faulkner's short story ''A Rose for Emily'' is between past time and present time: the past as represented in Emily herself, in Colonel Sartoris, in the ...

  17. 132 A Rose for Emily Essay Topics & Examples

    To nail A Rose for Emily thesis or overall paper writing, 🔥 you'll need a good idea. We have them! Read these A Rose for Emily essay topics research titles.

  18. A Rose for Emily Literary Devices

    Need help on literary devices in William Faulkner's A Rose for Emily? Check out our detailed literary device explanations and examples. From the creators of SparkNotes.