A Rose For Emily
In William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily," we see how past events affect the life of the main character Miss Emily, especially her inability to accept change. Throughout the story Miss Emily goes to extreme measures to protect her social status. Miss Emily lives in the past to shield herself from a future that holds no promises and no guarantees. William Faulkner illustrates Miss Emily's inability to accept change through the physical, social and historical settings, all of which are intimately related to the Grierson house. The Grierson house is a physical reminder of Miss Emily's reluctance to change. The "big squarish frame house that had once been white, decorated with cupolas and scrolled balconies in the heavenly lightsome style of the seventies (148)" was located in one of the most prominent and prestigious neighborhoods in the town of Jefferson. However, times changed and new generations replaced the old ones and the town moved on towards the future. Cotton gins and auto garages replaced the homes until only Miss Emily's house was left. The Grierson house is a visible reminder that Miss Emily cannot accept change. Miss Emily refuses to change with the town because her family once dominated
Homer is not the "marrying type (153)" anyway and if he decides to leave her, Miss Emily believes the townspeople will look down on her for this. it, and change means her family may not be the center of attention anymore. "It smelled of dust and disuse (149). Throughout her life Miss Emily is determined to control the thoughts of the townspeople in order to protect the status of her family name. Miss Emily was once again facing the reality that her life can change, so she retreats to her world of the past and this time took her lover Homer with her. The physical, historical and social settings are linked through the Grierson house in unique ways that highlight Miss Emily's reluctance to change with her surrounding environment. " When asked if she received a tax notice from the sheriff she continually refers them to "See Colonel Sartoris (150)," an indication that Miss Emily believes she is still superior to the rest of the town and is exempt from paying taxes. Miss Emily's social prestige is the highlight of her life and in order to protect this she has to live her life in the past. Miss Emily thrives on her past when her family had power in the South and when the Grierson name meant something. " Even though Miss Emily is in love with Homer she feels he is not good enough for a women of her social standing, and this is ruining her social image. When Miss Emily meets a Yankee by the name of Homer Baron, a construction worker with a lower social standing compared to herself, she falls in love with him. Miss Emily believes the world around her is taking place in the past. Without her father she feels less important to the community and does not know how to handle life with out her father's guidance.
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Acceptance Essays
