A Rose for Emily

             In the short story "A Rose for Emily," William Faulkner tells the sad story of Miss Emily's unstable state of mind. The theme in this story is that of isolation. Here is a woman who never left the sanctity of her home for something like 30 years. She did give china painting lessons in her home for a few years when she was around 40, but after that, she really never had anything to do with society again.
             The larger meaning of this story proposes that perhaps being isolated for such a long period of time could contribute to one's mental stability. Of course, a lot of other factors must be considered also. The author suggests her insane behavior may be inherited. The insanity of her great aunt, old lady Wyatt, suggests that it could be passed on from her family line. The events that happened in her younger years must have also contributed to her state of mind.
             One image that the author creates to illustrate the theme of isolation is the picture he paints of the house. When Faulkner describes the setting of the house, the descriptions really refer to Miss Emily's isolation. The house is described as one that had been in the spotlight, "set on what had once been our most select street" (28). Miss Emily had also once been in the spotlight. Later the house stands isolated from the rest, and Miss Emily has separated herself from the townspeople.
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A Rose for Emily. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 02:18, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/99637.html