Response to “A Rose for Emily”

The main story of “A rose for Emily”, written by William Faulker, revolves around Emily Grierson. The Griersons believed that they were higher in status than other citizens of the town. Due to this belief Emily never had any real relationship with anyone as her life revolved around this only concept of status. She considered her father as her world. Emily’s father was of the opinion that that none of the boys living in the town were of her match. This story is about a young lady who considered her father as everything in her life. It further tells about the feelings of the town’s people towards her and her father.

The feeling of superiority and dominance did not allow her to mingle with others. The town’s people felt sorry for her after the death of her father. They were curious about her way of living. After the entry of Homer Borron, the tale of this short story takes a change. This new character is known as Homer Borron. As he enters in the scenario the town people get curious about the relationship between her and Emily. They further want to know that if Emily would marry Homer Borron or not. In one part of the story when she brings a bottle of poison, without telling what she would use it on, other characters of the story think that she would kill herself. Emily does not like outing and mingling with others. She was not fun loving and entertaining. She was an egotistical and sober lady. When Emily asked Homer Barron for wedding, Homer declines to marry Emily, as he did not wish to develop into a dull person as Emily wished him to be. Thus, Homer Barron was poisoned by Emily and kept with her forever.

Emily had never been in contact with town’s people. She lived her whole life in a beautifully decorated house. She was happy with her life. Her life revolved around her father and his beliefs. Emily lived with the same beliefs even after the death of her father. She was proud and stubborn. She never paid heed to what people used to think or say about her. After the death of her father, she did not agree to the fact that she has left alone. The stubbornness shown by Emily is seen there only when she kills her lover just to keep him with her forever. Emily after killing Homer Barron kept him for 30 more years with her. Emily Grierson is a person who rejects all the modern ideas and lives in the past. As she lived all her life with her father she did not know much about the outer world. After the death of her father she followed the same beliefs as were her fathers. It is clearly seen in the story that Emily is against modern techniques when she rejects to have a mailbox outside her house. Emily is a person who believes in the past. She believes in the traditions laid down by her father and ancestors. The people of town believed that Emily was a stubborn lady who never listened to anyone. The people living in the town thought that Emily was a lady who was proud of her stature and money. They did not pay much respect and dignity to Emily.

However in my view Emily is a lady who was crushed down by her own environment. Throughout her life she lived with her father and thought that this was her only world. The habits and way of living of Emily was taken from that of her fathers. Her father can be blamed for the stubbornness found in Emily. In my view Emily was a lady who was proud of herself and one which needed proper guidance to walk on the right path.

Bibliography
Faulkner, William. Collected Stories. New York: Random House, 1950.