Rose For Emily

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Recommended: The theme of A rose for Emily

A Rose for Emily Theme is described as the "central and dominant idea of a work of literature." (Krizner) Theme is not to be confused with plot. Plot is the way a story's events are arranged. its hard to recognize themes in some stories. A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner is especially a tough story to recognize the theme, In the story the events are not arranged in chronological order, and the plot is one that overwhelms and shocks the reader. However there is always a theme present and the underlying themes in this story are remarkably striking. The three main themes in this story are tradition versus change, isolation, and the power of death. A main theme presented in this story is that of tradition versus change. Ms. Emily …show more content…

The author uses this sentence to add another theme in this story. This theme Faulkner adds is the theme of isolation. "Emily manufactures her own confinement in a futile attempt to thwart the impending arrival of a new age and culture." (Brackin) Isolation is an important theme in this story. It adds mystery to Emily. Isolation also aids the theme of change as Emily uses it to ignore the changes going on around her. Emily shuts herself up in her house and is rarely seen amongst the townspeople. After the death of her father she was not seen for sometime, and when they had they stated that she had changed. " When we saw her again, her hair was cut short.. " (Faulkner) this is an important quote to help with the isolation theme because it shows that the townspeople had not seen her for sometime. Indicating that she had been isolated in her house, Which seems to be a reoccurring theme for Emily. She is rarely seen and when she is seen the narrator notes the differences that she has undergone. These isolation periods by Emily shroud her in mystery. The townspeople accuse of her of depression, and imagine what she must be doing but they never find out till the end. Isolation makes Emily as a week individual. She is explained as a depressed woman with nothing to live for. Little did the Audience know this isolation from the rest of the town strengthened Miss Emily's Figure. She is seen as a monument and a respectable lady but this woman committed murder. The murder was only made possible by the way she isolated herself. She refused to let anybody in to see what was really happening and how she really was. That allowed her to go free and blameless for the disappearance of Homer. Isolation is a key theme in this story and it aids Emily's character and status as a

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