A Rose for Emily
In William Faulkner?s ?a Rose for Emily,? Faulkner immediately establishes a theme of time. Time is one of Faulkner?s key elements in allowing and making this story work. From the details of the town and how it has aged to very descriptive terms in describing Miss Emily, Faulkner establishes time as the focus of the story. In the opening sentence, he establishes the end of a time for the main character with the death of Miss Emily Grierson. Faulkner describes how the town people ?had not seen her in at least ten years. (414)? This is the beginning of Faulkner?s web of time. It is very specific and very telling of things that are to come. Before the end of section I, we see that there will be no rhyme or reason or timeline for this story- yet another faucet of Faulkner?s use of time. The story is being told from the town folk?s point of view. The narration is similar to that of a gossip session rather than that of a story. The reader can almost picture the town people whispering behind gloved hands as Miss Emily went about town. This point becomes . . .
Faulkner specifically details Miss Emily?s wearing of a watch (415). All of his choices conjure up images of age- ?leather was cracked,? ?tarnished gilt easel,? (415). All of these factors culminate Miss Emily into her desperate attempt in stopping time. From the specifics about her failed engagement and inevitability of spinsterhood to Miss Emily?s attempt in keeping her dead boyfriend Homer upstairs, Faulkner uses Miss Emily?s age and image of time to illuminate Miss Emily?s isolation from the town, reality, and society. When Miss Emily begins to date Homer, she becomes a prisoner of time. If Miss Emily can stop time, she would no longer be alone. He just allows her purchase, even though he was breaking the law, and puts the reason for it himself (417). Miss Emily becomes a prisoner of her birth, a patriarch to a lost generation (417). very important because it is as if the reader gets the story in bits and pieces, like gossip, as opposed to the entire story. While there were a few attempts or overtures, if Miss Emily made the point not to intervene, they left her alone. Miss Emily?s age, the youth of the town folk, and the town folk?s respect for a time long since gone. (417)? This is relevant in the fact that the town holds Miss Emily to a different standard because of who she is and when she was born. Faulkner uses very explicit words when describing Miss Emily?s furniture and surroundings. The story line follows no particular order of events. Time had taken her boyfriend, her father, and her status in life, Miss Emily, in killing Homer, attempted to stop time.
Common topics in this essay:
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