Symbolic References in A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner

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The most common technique that is used throughout the story of “A Rose for Emily,” by William Faulkner would be symbolism. Emily Grierson, an interesting character who shows to be stubborn when she is requested to do such task that she feels are beyond her capabilities. “When the gentlemen came to her door to collect her taxes Emily said, ‘See Colonel Sartoris, I have no taxes in Jefferson’.” By Miss Emily not lonely being rude but also cold hearted towards others she has made herself separated from the townspeople, “I have no taxes in Jefferson…Tobe! Show these gentlemen out.”(Faulkner 1215) Although Miss Emily is an isolated character from most of the townspeople an exception for her butler Tobe, she is still treated as a high class citizen, you could even say that she was looked upon as a stained glass angel that the people would think that “Emily, is a monument,” others would think of her as “Tableau, Miss Emily, a slender figure in white,” (Faulkner 1216) Time has changed people would no longer get away with crimes such as refusing to pay taxes.Afields5 would suggest that Ms. Grierson is a Representation of the “decline of the ‘Old South’.” Meaning she cannot let go of what she holds so dearly to her life, and is unable to change her environment. Until she met Homer Barron, Emily has never socialize or been accompanied with any other character in the story. From the information I have received from “Symbols in ‘A Rose for Emily’” “Homer is her ‘rose’ that she loved and kept to herself even after his body was decaying.” Mr. Barron was the only man that Emily had not only become so dearly to her but has would also do anything to keep him, “’She will marry him’ then we said, ‘She will persuade him yet,’”(Faulkner1218) Homer had... ... middle of paper ... .... Madisoncavell Editors. “The Role of the Townspeople in Faulkner’s ‘A Rose for Emily’.” Madisoncavell Wordpress. N.p. 15 Oct 2012. Web. 17 Mar 2014. Shmoop Editorial Team. “The House in ‘A Rose for Emily.’” Shmoop. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov 2008. Web. !7 Mar 2014. Shmoop Editors. “Death and Taxes.” Shmoop. Shmoop University, Inc., n.d. Web. 17 Mar 21014. Shmoop Editors. “Homer barron.” Shmoop. Shmoop University, n.d., Web. 17 Mar 2014. Shmoop Editors. “lime and Arsenic.” Shmoop. Shmoop University, Inc., n.d. Web. 17 Mar 2014. Shmoop Editors. “The Pocket watch, the stationary, and the hair.” Shmoop. Shmoop University, Inc., n.d. Web. 17 Mar 2014. Sparknotes Editors. “’A Rose for Emily’ Themes, Mofits, and Symbols.” Sparknotes. Sparknotes,Inc., Web. 17 Mar 2014 StudyMode Editors. “Symbol is ‘A Rose for Emily.’” StudyMode, Inc., 1 Nov 2012. 17 Mar 2014.

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