How Symbolism is Used in A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner

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“A symbol has many meanings. It has literal meaning and additional meaning beyond the literal.” Symbolism has been used in many occasions. We tend to use symbolism in states. For example Austin symbolizes Texas because it’s our capital. The figures that are used in public restrooms are to show which one is for men and women. The town’s people are in Miss Emily’s funeral recalling events that happened while she was still alive. The town’s mayor had a great relationship with Emily’s father and he decided to stop billing Miss Emily for her taxes. As years passed and the new generation came in; they weren’t satisfied with the arrangement so they went to her house to try and convince her to pay them. Thirty years before the tax event, the town’s people complained about a horrible smell that was coming out of Emily’s property. This was happening two years after her father died, and a short time after her lover, Homer Barron, disappeared from her life. They spread lime and eventually the smell faded off. The story doubles back and says that Emily begins dating Homer Barron, who is a foreman. The town didn’t think Miss Emily would be serious about him since Grierson’s don’t date northern people. So, they call Emily’s cousins to pay a visit so they can convince her to stop the relationship. While the cousins arrive Homer leaves town, after they leave he comes back. They later see Emily buying arsenic, rat poison, and they see her buying items for men and things with Homer’s initials. They never saw anyone go in nor out of the house besides Tobe. Her hair started getting gray and she started to get old. When Miss Emily died they went into the house and opened up the room above. They were looking down at the profound and fleshless gri... ... middle of paper ... ...ly” but the main one was symbolism. Each character and object are all symbols of what went through Emily’s life to get a better understanding of the story. Works Cited • www.studymode.com/essays/symbols-in-a-rose-for-emily-462780.html • wwwhttp://classiclit.about.com/od/roseforemilyfaulkner/f/a-rose-for-emily-gray-hair.html • Madisoncavell.wordpress.com • http://www.shmoop.com/a-rose-for-emily/lime-arsenic-symbol.html • http://www.teenink.com/nonfiction/academic/article/303795-a-rose-for-emily-rhetorical-analysis • http://www.sparknotes.com/short-stories/a-rose-for-emily/themes.html • http://www.shmoop.com/a-rose-for-emily/death-taxes-symbol.html • http://www.shmoop.com/a-rose-for-emily/house-symbol.html • http://www.shmoop.com/-a-rose-for-emily/pocket-watch-stationery-hair-symbol.html • http://www.shmoop.com/a-rose-for-emily/homer-barron.html

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