ENG 102
Analysis Research Paper
09-25-10
Literary Analysis

William Faulkner’s short story “A Rose for Emily” carries a theme represented by a dying breed of that era, while using symbolism to represent tragedy, loneliness and some form of pride, the story also shows how far one will go to have the approval of others and the pursuit of happiness. In today’s times, a person’s image could mean everything in life and almost everyone tries to fit into the main stream in some form at some point in there life. Though, people often claim to try to be unique and trend setters at some point they all buckle down and try to just fit in and impress. This idea to me goes into the same as for “A Rose for Emily”. The short story “A Rose for
As mentioned from above, Emily and her family where held in such high regard, things where suppose to work a certain way and nothing was to become between that, but that was a much different case in Emily’s life. The story shows a dying era, from the text you can see as the community changes Emily’s house does not, it remains behind in the changing times. Though I see it not so much as a bad thing, it just shows how Emily is struggling to be everything she is suppose to be. Emily and her house represent how times use to be, but at the same time she and her home is a burden on the new up rising of the community. From reading “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner, and trying to pick apart key points and the symbolism of the short story, when laid out in front of you, you can see how even though the story deals with a poor woman who is shunned away from the outside world and forced into isolation. You can see from her sick and twisted ways, that is was all about trying not to be lonely, and to still have some pride as being someone of importance. Most of all the symbolism used to show Emily’s most elusive desires “Love and the pursuit of happiness”.

Work Cited

Faulkner, William. "A Rose for Emily." The Story and Its Writer: an Introduction to Short Fiction. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2007. 391-97.