As William Faulkner's work opens, one is able to see that there is an identifiable characteristic of death concerning Emily. These dark images, following her father's death, occur because of Mr. Grierson's attempted protection of Emily and unnecessarily high standards in suitors, which cause her to remain without a husband and the metaphorical fulfillment that follows. Thus, as we are able to see throughout the story, Faulkner uses an array of imagery relating to death because of this.
             The most notable and prominent images of death are shown through Emily's appearance. This is initially revealed through her black clothes, which used to be white before her father's death. Hence, something has expired within her, which is an essential part of her regard to life itself. The imagery continues as her appearance is further expressed through Emily's eyes, which are compared to pieces of coal against her face (p.283). Additionally, Faulkner emphasizes her large bloated body, her dark pallid complexion, and her dry, cold, and deathly-like voice. Therefore, this imagery is used to convey the thought that Emily is emotionally and figuratively dead (p.283).
             Other images of death arise through the literal corpse of Homer, who ultimately is degraded to a pile of rotting flesh upon Emily's bed. Thus, not only does Emily have the aesthetic characteristics of death, she actually is living with death. This perhaps results as an uncontrollable urge to preserve the relationship with her supposed husband, who would have left if she had not otherwise poisoned him. Ergo, she is afraid of losing her emotional attachment to Homer and the ability to have a child.
             Another way in which images of death are revealed, although loosely interpreted, arises through the absence of any real time within the life of Emily. This lack of measurement, which is prevalent during death, reveals itself throug
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