A Rose For Emily Literary Analysis Essay

Words: 528
Pages: 3

William Faulkner strategically incorporates specific literary elements into his story “A Rose for Emily,” thus, providing multiple components of the human condition to be examined. Emily Grierson, the story’s protagonist, is perceived as merely an antiquated existence in the town of Jefferson. Miss Emily is known for minding to her own affairs, however, the town residents do not seem to possess the same ability. Why must they continuously scrutinize every aspect of Emily’s being? In Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily,” the elements of symbolism, theme, and conflict are effectively utilized to establish the citizens of Jefferson as the unrivaled antagonistic presence in the story. The theme of tradition versus progression is evident the very first time Emily’s dialogue appears in the story. When the Board of Aldermen pay visit to the Grierson residence regarding her delinquent taxes they are immediately met with resistance as Emily states, “I have no taxes in Jefferson, Colonel Sartoris explained it to me” (Faulkner I). Her proclamation is relevant to the fact that Colonel Sartoris has been dead for nearly a decade at this juncture of the story. Emily’s traditional stance is displayed here as she seems to believe the Colonel would remain sheriff of Jefferson forever, therefore, his “word” to her of not having to pay taxes trumps any “written” …show more content…
When Emily makes a purchase at the store the people speculate what she intends to do with the goods. Miss Emily gets involved with a man, and the ladies of the town send for her relatives. They seem to be utterly obsessed with Emily, and everything she is involved with. Being how eager the citizens were to gain access into the locked room in the Grierson home makes one question what skeletons they have stowed away in their