Emily Grierson Character Analysis
Emily Grierson: To Be or Not To Be a Lady William Faulkner presents a character, Emily Grierson in "A Rose for Emily," whose sanity may be questioned. Arguments are to be made Emily Grierson is of the uttermost intelligence. Emily uses her knowledge of the "lady" stereotype she is expected to uphold in her attempts in dodging the responsibilities placed upon her. She further implicates the stereotype into an alibi for the "perfect murder." A comparison between the definition of a "lady" and the behavior of Emily reveals Emily's true brilliance in attempting to hide her motives. Being perceived as a lady, Emily is exempt from many actions she is responsible for. The most common definition of a lady is "a well-mannered and considerate woman with high standards of proper behavior." (Dictionary.com) Emily Grierson is far from being well-mannered and considerate. Emily inconsiderately returns the tax notices she receives without any explanation to those concerned. When the Board of Aldermen arrive to hold a meeting discussing her payment of taxes, she ignorantly will not speak with them when their opinions and statements conflict with hers. She bids them farewell without hesitation. A proper lady woul
" At the time of Emily's death, she "fell ill in the house filled with dust and shadows, with only a doddering Negro man to wait on her. Law, at the current time, requires an intended use to be stated, and Emily forgoes her obligations to the state because of her implications of showing herself as a lady. This pillow is similar to those of our common elders and finally presents the last detail to Emily's normality. She is continually aware she may be discovered, and hopes to lead people into believing false lies and tending to her needs. Emily proceeds to a drug store to buy poison. This incident further contradicts with Emily and the definition of a lady being "a woman to whom a man is romantically attached. She is the superficial lady of today. She defies the social normality and is seen courting Homer Barron, when it is unacceptable to be so open of a relationship between two unmarried people. After receiving knowledge of her father's death, and realizing Emily has been left with only her house, the townspeople begin to feel as if she has become closer to their level. They understood her attempt to hold onto her one true love when Faulkner stated, "The body had apparently once lain in the attitude of an embrace, but now the long sleep that outlasts love, that conquers even the grimace of love, had cuckolded him. She has once more escaped what has been expected of her.
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