A Rose for Emily Question and Answers

What is so scandalous about Emily Grierson's relationship with Homer Barron in "A Rose for Emily"? Emily's relationship with Homer Barron is considered scandalous for several reasons: Emily considers herself to be a member of the upper class. She acts as if she is too good to associate with regular people, sending Tobe to do her shopping and refusing to pay her taxes. Yet she becomes romantically linked with a day laborer. A man who actually works for a living is below her station. Homer Barron is a Yankee. Northerners were not looked upon kindly after the Civil War, and a proper southern woman would never sink so low as to entertain the affections of someone not from a proper southern family. Even worse Homer purposefully draws attention to himself by choosing to drive a buggy with yellow wheels on their Sunday excursions. Gentility doesn't draw attention to itself. Homer Barron has no intention of marrying anyone as he's proud to announce at the Elks' Club. From the townspeople's perspective it looks as if Emily is having sex with Homer even though he's publicly said he won't get married. In their eyes she looks like a "fallen woman." This is a far cry from her reputation as a genteel southern lady. Emily Grierson Homer Barron Post–Civil War South Why is the older generation hesitant to use the phrase noblesse oblige in Part 4 of "A Rose for Emily"? Noblesse oblige (pronounced no-BLESS o-BLEEJ) is the belief of the upper class that their position makes them duty bound to be gracious to those who are less fortunate. Miss Emily's first Sunday drives with Homer Barron are considered to be a function of noblesse oblige. As the older generation said, "[E]ven grief could not cause a real lady to forget noblesse oblige—without calling it noblesse oblige." The narrator's aside about not addressing noblesse oblige by name is a peek into the unspoken values and customs of the Old South. Being considerate of one's inferiors is not just a nice thing to do; it's a way of making oneself look even better in the eyes of society. That effect is totally lost when an act of goodwill is openly talked about and assigned a name. It's tacky to talk about social status in the Old South. According to the older generation talking around the subject without naming it is much more genteel and polite. Townspeople Post–Civil War South How is female sexuality addressed in "A Rose for Emily"? Shortly after her father's death Miss Emily begins going for weekly outings with Homer Barron, a northern day laborer. Rumors start to fly that she is a "fallen woman," which basically means that she has had sex with Homer out of wedlock. This is an enormous scandal, and the way the townspeople talk about it is reflective of the era in which the story takes place. Female sexuality was a taboo topic in the late 19th century, particularly in the Old South where a woman's virtue (namely her virginity) was of utmost importance. It is so taboo that no one in Jefferson will come right out and say exactly what Miss Emily has been accused of. Sex and its common euphemisms are found nowhere in the text, and the reader must infer the meaning of the only clue word, fallen. Just a rumor about premarital sex is enough to severely harm a woman's reputation; she falls in the esteem of society. Note that there's no such restriction on men. Women in the late 19th century were expected to be pure and chaste. Any digression from this path is automatically blamed on the woman alone. Emily Grierson Homer Barron Townspeople Patriarchy Why does the narrator of "A Rose for Emily" use the word cabal in Part 3 when speaking about Miss Emily's cousins? A cabal is a group of people united in secretive interests, particularly those that are political. The reason for their gatherings is usually unknown to those outside of the group. The narrator of "A Rose for Emily" uses cabal to describe Miss Emily's cousins because they, too, are united in a secret purpose. This hints at the townspeople's eager curiosity to find out what's going on in the Grierson home during their visit. There are two possibilities: The cousins are helping Miss Emily secure a proposal from Homer Barron. The cousins are doing everything in their power to break up the relationship between Miss Emily and Homer. There is evidence and reasoning behind each option. The female cousins want Miss Emily to maintain the family's social standing in Jefferson (as evidenced by two of the female cousins being "even more Grierson than Miss Emily had ever been"). She needs to marry to do that, and marrying Homer Barron would alleviate the stigma of supposedly sleeping with him out of wedlock. Then again Homer disappears while the cousins are in town. The cousins may have chased him off in an effort to save Miss Emily from marrying a low-class Yankee. In either case the word cabal describes the collective and secret plotting of the rest of the family as they try to enforce their will on Miss Emily. Cousins Emily Grierson Homer Barron Why does Emily Grierson attach herself to Homer Barron in Part 3 of "A Rose for Emily"? Emily's association with Homer Barron is unusual, to say the least. She thinks of herself as a member of the upper class, which is diminishing rapidly after the end of the Civil War. Homer is a Yankee day laborer. Socially he is far beneath her. For someone who cares as much about her family's image as Miss Emily does, it is almost unthinkable that she would even imagine a relationship with Homer. But Miss Emily's sense of propriety is overruled by her age. She's in her 30s when her father dies, which, at the time, was considered to be well past a woman's prime. A woman's role in the late 19th century was to be a wife and a mother, in that order. Women who didn't fulfill that role were viewed as failures. Emily's situation, though bleak, was better when her father was alive. At least then she had a man to care for. That was respectable enough. Now that he is gone she needs to find a husband. Every eligible man in town has been run off by Mr. Grierson and the family's reputation. Her only hope for a complete life as dictated by the Victorian era is an outsider who neither knows nor cares about her personal and family history. Emily Grierson Homer Barron Mr. Grierson Patriarchy Why doesn't the younger generation of parents in Part 4 of "A Rose for Emily" send their children to Emily Grierson's china painting classes? There are two reasons the next generation of children does not enter the Grierson home for art lessons. China painting became immensely popular with aristocratic women in the 1870s, but its popularity waned by the early 20th century. Miss Emily began teaching classes in the early 1900s. By the time the next generation of children came around after World War I, the art had long been given up. Women's roles expanded during World War I, both in and out of the home, and women were no longer tied to purely decorative pastimes. By not sending their daughters for china painting lessons, the women of Jefferson are knowingly breaking the chain of turning their daughters into the submissive southern belles of the past. Even more suspect than the art form was the woman who taught it. Miss Emily had long been a target of gossip in Jefferson, but the women who had taken painting classes as children are the same ones who refuse to send their own daughters. They had actually been in her home following Homer Barron's disappearance. They would have surely noticed the decaying furniture and musty air, or at the very least noticed that something wasn't quite right. They suspect the secrets Miss Emily is keeping are not good ones. Emily Grierson Townspeople Post–Civil War South What does Emily Grierson's choice of hobby say about her character in Part 4 of "A Rose for Emily"? Emily paints china, or porcelain tableware. This hobby was common throughout the 1800s but gained enormous popularity in the 1870s, particularly with wealthy women who had a lot of time on their hands. Money and time were both necessary to learn and practice the craft. As both a domestic and inherently feminine pastime, it's something that would have reflected well upon a young woman looking for a husband. Yet when Emily decides to teach china painting in the early 1900s, it is no longer fashionable. Her continued practice of the art is evidence that she is unwilling to give up the culture of the Old South in favor of progress. In addition to allowing her to earn a small stipend, teaching china painting is her way of preserving the values of the past via the new generation. Emily Grierson Post–Civil War South How do the townspeople react to learning Emily Grierson's secret in Part 5 of "A Rose for Emily"? Homer Barron's death isn't a big surprise to the citizens of Jefferson. Before the "tomb" is opened, the narrator says about the room, "Already we knew that there was one room ..." They believed Homer was dead and that his body was still somewhere in the house. Faulkner drops hints about the town's complicity throughout the story: Miss Emily's purchase of the rat poison, the terrible smells just weeks after Homer's disappearance, Miss Emily's silhouette in the window on the top floor of the house. The most damning piece of evidence is the pharmacist's refusal to give Miss Emily the rat poison himself. He knows perfectly well she isn't going to use the arsenic for rats, and he doesn't want to be seen giving her the package. They did not, however, expect to see a decaying bridal suite, or Homer Barron's stillclothed body on the bed. The narrator states, "We just stood there, looking down at the profound and fleshless grin." They try to piece together what this new aspect of Miss Emily's story means, then realize what the reader has come to understand: Mr. Grierson's stifling influence drove Miss Emily into insanity. Emily Grierson Townspeople Homer Barron Patriarchy Gray Hair What is the significance of Emily Grierson's gifts to Homer Barron in Part 4 of "A Rose for Emily"? Emily purchases a man's toilet set, or grooming kit, which was traditionally a comb, a brush, and a mirror, as well as a man's suit and nightshirt. These are not inexpensive purchases—the toilet set, made of silver and engraved with Homer's initials, is purchased from the town jeweler. The townspeople assume that Miss Emily lives on a very small income, if anything at all, and these extravagant gifts indicate Miss Emily's irrational hope for a wedding with all of the trappings. When they are seen at the end of the story, the nightshirt is rotted and the toilet set is tarnished. They are decaying reminders of the hope Miss Emily once had and lost. Emily Grierson Homer Barron Man's Toilet Set What can be inferred about Tobe's relationship with Emily Grierson in "A Rose for Emily"? Though Tobe talks to no one in town about his life at the Grierson home, there is evidence that he and Miss Emily have a relationship that began as master and slave then evolved into one of trust. Tobe was either Mr. Grierson's slave or hired after the end of the war. Miss Emily probably can't pay him much after her father's death, but he still stays on to take care of her. Prior to her death Tobe is the only other person in the world who knows Miss Emily's secret. He may have even helped her. Homer Barron was a large man, and Miss Emily is very small. If Homer didn't die in the bedroom Miss Emily would have needed Tobe's help to get him there. She trusts him with a secret that could have sent her to prison. Tobe is the public face of the Grierson family and "the only sign of life about the place" as he goes back and forth to town with the market basket. He keeps to himself during these trips, refusing to answer questions about his employer. Even after Miss Emily's death Tobe refuses to talk about her. He simply walks out the back door, never to be seen again. Tobe Emily Grierson How does "A Rose for Emily" reflect society's ideals for the Victorian woman? Women of the Victorian era, which lasted from the 1830s to the turn of the 20th century, were considered to be weaker and more delicate than their male counterparts. A woman's domain was the home, and her chief tasks were overseeing the cooking, the cleaning, and the caring for children. Women who didn't fit into this stereotype were considered abnormal, or perhaps even mentally ill. These narrow ideals of womanhood are alive and well in Jefferson during the first half of Miss Emily's life. Her inability to find a suitable husband earns the pity of her neighbors, who think it would be "for the best" if Miss Emily killed herself. They believe her life isn't worth living if she doesn't have a man for whom to care. In her own way Miss Emily believes the same thing, which is why she's so intent on finding a husband, even if he doesn't live up to the ideals of a proper southern gentleman. Being the perfect Victorian woman even if just in secret is more important to Miss Emily than silencing the gossiping tongues of her neighbors. Emily Grierson Patriarchy Post–Civil War South What is the price of progress according to William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily"? Tradition versus progress is a major theme of "A Rose for Emily." Miss Emily and the older generation of townspeople represent the way things were in the Old South, and the younger generation represents the New South. The Old South is remembered not only for cotton, plantations, and slavery but also for a particular way of life. Miss Emily, Colonel Sartoris, and Judge Stevens are all concerned with what is right, what is proper, and what is genteel or refined. Proper protocols are to be followed, particularly where women are concerned. That's why Judge Stevens refuses to ask Miss Emily point blank to do something about the smell on her property. That type of business was handled by men, not women. These antiquated rules of propriety don't mean much to the younger generation in Jefferson. They are more focused on getting things done by the quickest means possible. They don't care about the Grierson family's history in Jefferson, or that Miss Emily may not have the means to pay her taxes. Embarrassing her is the least of their concerns. Faulkner uses the ongoing struggle between tradition and progress to show that while new ways of doing things may be faster and easier, they also erase the things that make a particular place or people special. In the case of the South, manners and customs particular to the region are traded for a more generic way of life. Emily Grierson Colonel Sartoris Judge Stevens Tradition versus Progress Post–Civil War South To what extent is "A Rose for Emily" a response to the outcome of the Civil War? "A Rose for Emily" is a story of revenge not just for the main character but for the southern United States as a whole. At the time the story was published, more than 50 years after the end of the Civil War, many native southerners still felt the sting of defeat at the hands of the Union army. Faulkner, who grew up in Mississippi, capitalized on this cultural animosity by having two of his major characters embody characteristics of each party in the decades-old feud. Miss Emily, aristocratic and genteel, represents the South, while Homer Barron, a harbinger of change, is the North. Instead of having his characters join in harmony Faulkner portrays the character representing the North as the trigger for the fall of the last remaining great family in Jefferson. When "the North" refuses to follow the local rules for proper behavior, "the South," represented by Miss Emily, stands up for itself one last time. Emily Grierson Homer Barron Post–Civil War South Why doesn't anyone report Homer Barron's disappearance in Part 3 of "A Rose for Emily"? The most basic explanation is that Homer Barron is an outsider in Jefferson. He has no nearby family, and nobody is going to miss him. More important than that however, is the town's allegiance to Miss Emily. The Grierson family has its roots in Jefferson, and Miss Emily has become part of the town's culture and history. Reporting Homer's disappearance would eventually unearth the fact that he was last seen going into Miss Emily's home. Suggesting her involvement would violate the unspoken code of southern ethics where neighbor protects neighbor from outside persecution. The people of Jefferson protect Miss Emily and her secret, passing them "from generation to generation" until after her death, when she no longer has to fear the consequences of her actions. Homer Barron Emily Grierson Do the townspeople in "A Rose for Emily" view Emily Grierson as a victim or a villain? The citizens of Jefferson view Miss Emily as a victim of her circumstances, particularly those related to her father's stifling influence. When she refuses to admit her father's death, they are understanding rather than being outraged or shocked. They "believed she had to do that" and that she would "cling to that which had robbed her, as people will." The same sentiment holds true when it is confirmed that she killed Homer Barron. He courted her with no intent to marry her, effectively robbing her of her virtue and good reputation as well as the chance to have the life expected of her by society and her peers. Miss Emily was effectively backed into a corner by her upbringing and the long shadow of southern tradition. When she kills Homer Barron it's not because she is evil but because her metaphorical prison finally made her crack. Her insanity is not her fault. Emily Grierson Townspeople What is the significance of Emily Grierson's hair in "A Rose for Emily"? The narrator comments on the length and color of Miss Emily's hair throughout "A Rose for Emily" to show the passage of time and how Miss Emily changes after her father's death. Victorian women kept their hair long; those in the South styled theirs in braids or ringlets. The reader can assume Miss Emily followed this fashion prior to her father's death, for the narrator thinks it important to note that when she finally appears it is with her hair "cut short, making her look like a girl." This drastic change in appearance symbolizes Miss Emily's break from her father's way of life. Her new hairstyle also gives her the appearance of innocence and youth, which, at the advanced age of 30 according to the story, may help her find a husband. The color of Miss Emily's hair is used to track time. Following Homer's disappearance Miss Emily's hair begins to turn gray. "During the next few years it grew grayer and grayer," and when she dies it is "still that vigorous iron-gray, like the hair of an active man." When the townspeople discover Homer Barron's body in the upstairs bedroom, there is a "long strand of iron-gray hair" on the pillow. This is an indicator that Miss Emily slept with Homer's body long after his death, when her hair was long again and completely gray. Emily Grierson Gray Hair What is the meaning of the title of "A Rose for Emily"? William Faulkner reportedly didn't mean anything in particular when he titled his most famous short story "A Rose for Emily." When asked this question during an interview, he briefly summarized the story's plot then said, "It was just 'A Rose for Emily,' that's all." Yet throughout the years astute readers and literary scholars have pointed out several meaningful relationships between the story and the four words that make up its title. "A Rose for Emily" is told from the point of view of someone who most likely attended Miss Emily's funeral. It sheds light on the difficult life she led and the unconventional choices she made, and it serves as her only legacy. The story itself is tribute to the deceased woman, much like a floral arrangement next to a coffin. In the end it may symbolize the romance and married happiness left unfulfilled in Emily's life. Some literary scholars believe Miss Emily was modeled after the poet Emily Dickinson, who was noted for her isolated life after withdrawing from society over a lost love. William Faulkner was an ardent admirer of poetry, and this story may have been his tribute to her. Note that the title of the story is "A Rose for Emily," not "A Rose for Miss Emily." The use of Miss in the story as an honorific shows the narrator's empathy and care for the late spinster and what her passing represents. Emily Grierson Narrator How does William Faulkner portray the control men have over women in "A Rose for Emily"? Jefferson, like most places around the world during the Victorian era, is a patriarchal society. Men control the city, the home, and everywhere in between. Women are given very few, if any, opportunities to make decisions about their own lives, including the right to vote. Mr. Grierson, for example, completely controls Miss Emily's future both during his lifetime and after his death. It is he, not she, who decides which young men are suitable for his daughter, and many of the townspeople think it is his lasting influence that dissolves the relationship between Miss Emily and Homer Barron, "as if that quality of her father which had thwarted her woman's life" had been too strong to follow him to his grave. Men's influence extends far beyond their own families. The Board of Aldermen, in particular, keep a tight rein on the goings-on in town. They determine who should be listened to, who should be helped, and who should be forced to comply. As Miss Emily continues to butt heads with them, it is an indication that time and war have changed the relationship between women and the rest of the world. Emily Grierson Mr. Grierson Board of Aldermen Patriarchy What do the mentions of Tobe's ethnicity in Part 1 contribute to the reader's understanding of "A Rose for Emily"? "A Rose for Emily" has one black character, Tobe. He is referred to by name only once, at the end of Part 1 when Miss Emily calls him to escort the aldermen out of her home. The narrator refers to him, as well as to the drugstore delivery boy, as "the Negro." This word is a signal to today's readers that the story takes place in the past, but when "A Rose for Emily" was published in 1930 negro was actually the most common way to identify a black person's race. It fell out of favor by the 1970s, which is why it seems old-fashioned today. There is one character in "A Rose for Emily" who prefers a different term. Eightyyear-old Judge Stevens refers to Tobe as "that nigger." Nigger has been considered a derogatory word since the early 1800s, and Judge Stevens's use of it in the 1890s shows how the master/slave relationship was one the masters did not want to give up. Faulkner deliberately uses this word to show the racial intolerance prevalent in the South long after the abolition of slavery, particularly among the older generation. Tobe Narrator Judge Stevens Post–Civil War South What is the narrator's tone toward Emily Grierson in "A Rose for Emily"? The narrator uses a sympathetic tone toward Miss Emily. As the reader is unaware of the narrator's identity, it is impossible to say whether he has a relationship with the Grierson family. Yet the way he speaks about Miss Emily shows genuine concern and care. She is described as being "a monument," which is something that should be inherently honored. Unflattering descriptions of her character are tempered with the words dear and tranquil. The narrator's feelings about Miss Emily are made even more evident after her burial. The narrator says "we knew" there was a room upstairs holding Miss Emily's darkest secret, but "they" wait until she is "decently in the ground" before opening it. The narrator doesn't take part in the public exposure of Miss Emily's secret, a sign of respect and affection. Emily Grierson Narrator Who is the antagonist in "A Rose for Emily"? An antagonist is a person, a group of people, or an idea that stands in opposition to a story's main character. "A Rose for Emily" has several antagonists: Mr. Grierson, Homer Barron, and the values of 19th-century America all stand in the way of Miss Emily's happiness. Mr. Grierson prevents Miss Emily from exploring potential relationships with gentlemen callers, and his death leaves Miss Emily a spinster, well past her marrying prime. It will be very difficult for her to find someone willing to marry her now. Homer Barron is Miss Emily's last opportunity for a life of married happiness. He courts her with no intent of marrying her but rather in the hope of raising his own rank in the town. This breach of protocol effectively ruins Miss Emily's reputation. As a woman during the Victorian era Miss Emily's one job is to secure a husband and take care of his home. These narrow ideals of feminine life limit Miss Emily's chances of ever truly being happy. If she can't achieve this one goal she will be considered an outcast and a social reject. Her desperation for marriage, even with a northerner, blinds her to the possibility that he may be using her to advance his own reputation, with no intent to marry. Emily Grierson Homer Barron Mr. Grierson Patriarchy Who is the protagonist in "A Rose for Emily"? A protagonist is the hero or main character of a story. Miss Emily is certainly the protagonist of her own story, though she is not a hero in the traditional sense of the word. After all she murders a man. While today's readers may be tempted to view Miss Emily as a fed-up woman who finally takes a stand against the patriarchy, Faulkner didn't approach the character from that point of view. Instead Faulkner earns the reader's sympathy for his main character by showing the personal and mental destruction caused by years of repressive social customs. Miss Emily is driven insane by the culture that created her. That is why the reader ultimately comes to care for her, even if she is a murderer. Emily Grierson How is Homer Barron a foil for Emily Grierson in "A Rose for Emily"? A foil is a character in a work of fiction with characteristics that contrast those of another character. When compared the two characters highlight aspects of the other's personalities. In "A Rose for Emily" Homer Barron, a northerner, is the foil for Miss Emily, a quintessential southerner. He is a dark, hulking brute of a man; Miss Emily, in her youth, is slight and spare. Homer has "a big voice" and is known around town for his infectious laughter. Miss Emily rarely speaks, and when she does it is without a trace of humor or happiness. Homer's eyes are "lighter than his face" while Miss Emily's look "like two small pieces of coal pressed into a lump of dough." While she is eager to find a husband he states outright that he "likes men"; although it's not explored beyond that declaration it seems clear that Homer is gay. They are opposites in every way, and these differences magnify the unflattering characteristics of each. Homer seems too brash and low class in the company of Miss Emily, while she seems more prudish and snobby than ever. While it can be argued that opposites attract, it is clear from their differences, particularly their vastly different backgrounds, that this relationship is not destined to last. Homer Barron Emily Grierson What are the sources of conflict in "A Rose for Emily"? There are several minor conflicts in "A Rose for Emily": the question of Miss Emily's taxes, her altercation with the druggist, and her refusal to allow a mailbox to be hung on her home. The overarching source of strife in Jefferson and the thing that contributes the most tension to the story is the horror under which Miss Emily was raised and how it changed her role in the town once she was released from her father. At first her inability to find a suitable husband is a problem she faces entirely alone. The longer she goes without a mate however, the greater a burden she becomes on the town, both emotionally and financially. She doesn't contribute to the local tax fund, and her weekly dates with Homer Barron are cause for speculation. Her problem becomes the town's problem, particularly when her snobbish cousins come to town to weigh in on her behavior with Homer. The cousins' lack of action with Miss Emily means that any dealings with her must first meet her approval. The past has proven that she will not engage the townsfolk at that level. Homer's disappearance marks the transition of the conflict away from Miss Emily and squarely into the lap of her neighbors. She no longer cares about society's standards or how a proper southern woman should behave, which results in more than one conversation about "what to do with Miss Emily." The only answer, of course, is to wait for her to die. Emily Grierson Homer Barron Townspeople Patriarchy Post–Civil War South Tradition versus Progress How could "A Rose for Emily" be interpreted as a commentary on the changing roles of women in the 20th century? Some literary critics think that "A Rose for Emily" is William Faulkner's response to the shifting roles for women in early 20th-century America. The end of the Victorian era saw rapid progress in the development of women's rights. By the time "A Rose for Emily" was published in 1930, women had demonstrated their aptitude for work outside the home during World War I, and they had successfully campaigned for the right to vote. Women were moving away from a life of subservience and purity toward more fulfilling lives they dictated for themselves. Today's readers familiar with the shift in women's roles from the early 20th century through the early 21st century may have a more feminist interpretation of Miss Emily's story than Faulkner originally intended. For example, Miss Emily refuses to speak to the Board of Aldermen about her taxes. Faulkner most likely intended this to be a sign that Miss Emily is relying on sexist traditions to be upheld; namely that women do not deal with money. From a feminist perspective, however, Miss Emily is defying the Board of Aldermen's wishes by refusing to pay her taxes, which establishes her power over the group of men who have run the town since its inception. As Miss Emily gets older she begins dictating the terms of her relationship with the rest of the town. Even if Faulkner did intend to show a female character wresting power from the patriarchy, he made it clear that it wasn't necessarily a good thing. The source of Miss Emily's power is Homer Barron's murder, which was a product of her own insanity. More than anything else "A Rose for Emily" is a cautionary tale about the madness at the root of female power. Emily Grierson Patriarchy What does Emily Grierson's watch symbolize in Part 1 of "A Rose for Emily"? Miss Emily wears "a thin gold chain descending to her waist and vanishing into her belt" when the aldermen come to her home to speak to her about her taxes. In the strained silence of the room the ticking of the "invisible watch" at the end of the chain is the only sound. Miss Emily is too much of a southern belle to be rude enough to actually look at the watch, but the volume of the ticking serves as a reminder to the aldermen that they are taking her time. This is symbolic of the indirect power that southern women could exert without saying a word. Emily Grierson How does William Faulkner appeal to the reader's senses in "A Rose for Emily"? Faulkner was known for trying on a variety of writing styles over the course of his illustrious career, particularly the stream of consciousness exhibited in The Sound and the Fury. "A Rose for Emily," though published soon after The Sound and the Fury, has a completely different feel. It is almost lyrical in its descriptions and turns of phrase about the fading trappings of aristocracy. Faulkner invokes all of the reader's senses, most notably in the narrator's descriptions of Miss Emily's home. The smell is the first thing the narrator recalls, "dust and disuse —a close, dank smell." The "heavy, leather-covered furniture" is cracked. Cracked is an apt choice not only for the mental image it creates but also for it's onomatopoeia quality. A "crack" sounds exactly the way the word sounds, attuning the reader's ears to the noises within the parlor. The sense of sight is invoked at the description of dust "spinning with slow motes in the single sun-ray." This brief yet thorough description of Miss Emily's parlor engages all of the senses save taste, pulling the reader deeper into the scene. How does William Faulkner use foreshadowing in "A Rose for Emily"? Foreshadowing is a warning or indicator of a future event. In many stories instances of foreshadowing serve as clues to the final outcome of the narrative, and "A Rose for Emily" is no exception. These peeks into the story's outcome engage readers' attention by encouraging them to connect the parts of the story into a cohesive whole. Miss Emily keeps her father's body at home for three days after he dies. This suggests that she is unable to part with the only man in her life and foreshadows what she will do with Homer Barron's body. The smell on Miss Emily's property indicates that something bad has happened there. Judge Stevens's belief that its origin is a "just a snake or a rat" is also foreshadowing. The words snake and rat are also apt descriptions for Homer Barron, who uses Miss Emily's position in the town's society to enhance his climb up the social ladder. This is an indicator that Homer's rotting corpse is causing the smell at the Grierson home. Homer Barron Mr. Grierson Emily Grierson Judge Stevens How do the narrator's biases imply his status and beliefs in "A Rose for Emily"? Though the narrator's gender and class are never specifically stated, William Faulkner provides several textual clues that help the reader better understand the person who is telling the story. The narrator's age falls somewhere between the older generation and the younger generation. When describing how Colonel Sartoris waives Miss Emily's taxes, the narrator says, "Only a man of Colonel Sartoris's generation and thought could have invented it." The narrator implies that Colonel Sartoris's beliefs are outdated but also praises the cunning behind his thought process. The narrator reveres the older generation but also understands that times are changing. The narrator has an undeniable bias against women, particularly when it comes to their intelligence. In reference to Colonel Sartoris's story about the taxes the narrator says, "Only a woman could have believed it." This is just one of many instances where the narrator reveals himself as a man since no woman would characterize her entire gender as being stupid. This is a common thread throughout "A Rose for Emily." Women, with the exception of Miss Emily, are portrayed as gossipy and silly while the men are decent citizens with the town's best interest at heart. The narrator clearly believes in the strength of a patriarchal society. The narrator is also white, as evidenced by his continued references to Tobe as "the Negro." He does not even give Tobe the courtesy of calling him by name, which reveals the narrator's sense of superiority over African Americans. Narrator Colonel Sartoris Tobe How is "A Rose for Emily" characteristic of Southern Gothic fiction Southern Gothic fiction is characterized by fantastic events that veer toward the grotesque or macabre. While the stories in this genre aren't necessarily mysteries, there are always elements of suspense. One or more main characters can be classified as being off-kilter or societal rejects. Violence, imprisonment, and a strong sense of place are recurring themes. "A Rose for Emily" meets all these criteria. Suspense: The story's nonlinear narrative structure allows the narrator to share anecdotes that build tension to the final reveal. Outsider: Miss Emily's belief that the Griersons are above everyone else in Jefferson keeps her separated from the rest of the town. She can definitely be considered off-kilter as she uses the body of the man she killed to fulfill her fantasy of wedded bliss. Imprisonment: Miss Emily is imprisoned in her home first by her father, and then by herself. Violence: Homer Barron's death is an act of premeditated murder. The author's choice to omit the scene of his death allows the reader to imagine what happened, which is most likely more violent than the reality of the poisoning. Grotesque: The description of Homer Barron in his faux marital bed is crafted to disgust. The most horrific detail is that "[t]he body had apparently once lain in the attitude of an embrace," which all but explicitly lets the reader know that Miss Emily was definitely sleeping with a dead body for a long, long time. Sense of place: The women gossip "behind their hands; rustling of craned silk and satin ... as the thin, swift clop-clop-clop" of the horses passes by. Descriptions like this give the reader a good understanding not just of the era of the story but of the way the setting sounds and feels. Emily Grierson Homer Barron How does the structure of "A Rose for Emily" contribute to the mood of the story? A story's mood is the atmosphere created by the author to elicit specific feelings from the reader. William Faulkner is a master at crafting mood. One of the ways he does this in "A Rose for Emily" is by straying from the traditional chronological narrative structure. Faulkner begins the story at the end of Miss Emily's life then relies on flashbacks to form the plot. This structure is disorienting to the reader. With each new section, and sometimes each new paragraph, the reader is forced to take a step back and assess the ever-evolving timeline. The reader never truly feels comfortable, which heightens the feeling of suspense. Because the story is told out of order Faulkner is able to steadily ratchet up the tension with each new revelation about Miss Emily's life. First the reader learns about the smell; after that Emily meets Homer and later purchases arsenic. By the time Homer disappears the reader knows how the murder happened but not why. At this point the air of suspense is so thick that the reader begins understanding just how horrifying the ending will be. Emily Grierson How does William Faulkner's choice of narrator affect the reader's understanding of "A Rose for Emily"? Faulkner chose an unusual narrator to tell Miss Emily's story. The unidentified, first-person narrator is a resident of Jefferson. He or she (most likely he) speaks in the collective voice of the town, using the words we and our instead of me and mine. This stylistic choice establishes the citizens of Jefferson as an impenetrable, like-minded group. By grouping the entire town under one voice, those whom the story is about—Miss Emily and Homer Barron—are automatically classified as worthy of having their story told. This also positions Miss Emily and Homer as outsiders, a trait that later became a hallmark of Southern Gothic fiction. Because the narrator speaks in the collective voice, it seems as if all eyes are on Miss Emily and Homer at all times. This gives the story an eerie, voyeuristic quality that helps the reader understand the type of scrutiny Miss Emily faces throughout her entire life. Narrator Emily Grierson Townspeople Homer Barron How does the genre of the short story impact William Faulkner's telling of "A Rose for Emily"? Short stories, generally classified as narratives of 10,000 words or less, are curious pieces of literature; many authors find them far more difficult to write than the traditional novel. With so few words to play with authors must tell their stories concisely while still triggering the reader's imagination. Through flashbacks Faulkner keeps the focus on action that moves forward in a predictable way, carefully concealing that all is not what it appears to be. Along with not knowing what is happening behind closed doors, Faulkner also provides examples of duplicity with his characters. Each character represents a larger societal force Faulkner wishes to explore. Colonel Sartoris and Judge Stevens are the Old South; the younger generation of Jefferson is the New South. Homer Barron represents the North, and the Board of Aldermen represent the patriarchal Victorian society. Miss Emily represents the struggle between traditional female roles and personal freedom. Focusing on characters instead of plot gives Faulkner the opportunity to show these forces interacting with one another instead of just reacting to the events at hand. Short stories are generally meant to be read in one sitting, which puts enormous pressure on the author to keep the reader engaged. The compact format is perfect for maintaining tension and suspense without exhausting the reader. Emily Grierson Colonel Sartoris Judge Stevens Board of Aldermen Homer Barron Patriarchy Post–Civil War South Tradition versus Progress What are William Faulkner's thoughts about class as depicted in "A Rose for Emily"? Faulkner pays specific attention to the subject of class in "A Rose for Emily" as a means of showing how outdated the southern class system was after the Civil War. Fortunes dwindled, land was ruined, and slave labor was no longer an option by the war's end. Those who had once found themselves at the top of the South's social structure were left clinging to its tattered remains. This is the case with the Griersons, who, according to town lore, had historically presented themselves as better than they really were. In the Old South everyone had an assigned role in society. It was comfortable and comforting, and to those who lived through it it made sense. That's why the news of Miss Emily's poverty makes such waves through the town and why Miss Emily clings so desperately to the tatters of the family's reputation. Losing the family's status is the same as losing her own identity. She continues to cultivate the air of aristocracy after her father's death because it is the only thing she has left. Faulkner shows that Miss Emily's efforts are futile at best. She is the last of the Griersons, and with her death comes the end of the family legacy. Her story is reflective of many of the old families of the South following the Civil War. The Old South had fallen, and the gentile lives of the aristocracy went with it. Emily Grierson Post–Civil War South Tradition versus Progress How does William Faulkner's use of figurative language make Emily Grierson seem less than human in "A Rose for Emily"? Figurative language is the use of words in a nonliteral sense to describe a person, place, thing, event, or idea. Similes, metaphors, personification, imagery, and hyperbole are all types of figurative language. In "A Rose for Emily" Faulkner uses figurative language to make Miss Emily seem less than human. Faulkner makes good use of similes and metaphors to describe Miss Emily's physical characteristics. In her old age her eyes are "lost in the fatty ridges of her face," then they are compared to lumps of coal. She is obese and looks "like a body long submerged in motionless water." These revolting descriptions make Miss Emily seem more dead than alive. Faulkner continues that theme by frequently comparing Miss Emily to inanimate objects. She is, at different times, a "fallen monument" and "the carven torso of an idol in a niche." To the narrator she seems more like something to be studied and artistically appreciated than like an actual human. Miss Emily's lack of humanity is even more obvious contrasted with the narrator's personification of inanimate objects. The Grierson home is "stubborn and coquettish"; the dust in the parlor rises "sluggishly." In the bridal-suite-turned-tomb Homer Barron's shoes are "mute" as he is "cuckolded" by the "long sleep that outlasts love." The settings and objects in "A Rose for Emily" are given more human characteristics than Miss Emily herself. Emily Grierson In what sense is "A Rose for Emily" a ghost story? "A Rose for Emily" is sometimes referred to as a ghost story despite the fact that ghosts are never mentioned. That has something to do with the mood of the story —dark, spooky, and tense. But there is also merit to the notion that it's an actual ghost story. In this case the ghosts are metaphorical, or not literally real. In "A Rose for Emily" both Miss Emily and the townspeople of Jefferson are forced to deal with the ghosts of their past. Miss Emily's "ghost" is the memory of her father. His selfish desire to keep her to himself under the guise of there being no suitable gentlemen callers haunts her for her entire life. Even after she has been in charge of the family home and legacy for 30 years, Mr. Grierson watches over everything from the crayon portrait in the parlor. He controls her life even after his death. The people of Jefferson also have to deal with their own ghost: the memory of Miss Emily. They and society as a whole failed Miss Emily during her lifetime, pushing her to conform to arbitrary societal standards. She dies poor and alone, her only companion a hired servant. This is something the citizens of Jefferson will remember for their rest of their lives. The narrator tells the story, in fact, to make sure that no one forgets the cost of chaining oneself to the past. Emily Grierson Townspeople Mr. Grierson Patriarchy How does the Grierson home in "A Rose for Emily" reflect the changes in the South caused by the Civil War? Much of the South had a difficult time recovering after the Civil War. Cities and countryside alike had been the site of numerous battles, and entire areas were virtually destroyed. Confederate money was worthless, and banks didn't have enough U.S. currency to give loans. Cotton production had been halted during the last year of the war so foreign nations found other suppliers. Put simply the southern economy was a disaster. This is reflected in the state of the Grierson home. Formerly a jewel on the "most select street" in Jefferson, by the time Miss Emily dies in the 1930s it is completely run down, the only house on a street now filled with cotton gins and gas pumps. The Griersons have somehow lost all of their money, and they are unable to take care of the once stately home. Its slide into decay is representative not just of the Grierson family's fall from grace but of the fall of the South as a whole. The Grierson House What role do the townspeople play in "A Rose for Emily"? The townspeople in "A Rose for Emily" are the story's Greek chorus. This term refers to a group of people featured in ancient Greek dramas that comment on the events happening on stage. Greek choruses are usually passive—they don't interfere with the main characters' decisions and interactions. In "A Rose for Emily" the townspeople's role as Greek chorus becomes clear when Miss Emily begins dating Homer Barron. Though the minister's wife contacts Miss Emily's cousins, nobody in town talks directly to Miss Emily herself. Instead the townspeople gossip about Homer's intentions and comment on Miss Emily's virtue "behind their hands." Their hushed commentary alerts the reader that Miss Emily's actions are not acceptable by Victorian society's standards. Townspeople Homer Barron Patriarchy Pleasure in Misfortune How is dialogue used in "A Rose for Emily"? Dialogue is used sparingly in "A Rose for Emily." Nearly all of the information the reader gets about Miss Emily, the town of Jefferson, and the interaction between the two is hearsay. This adds to the narrator's hushed, secretive tone while giving readers the feeling they are hearing this story from a friend of a friend. The instances where Faulkner does provide dialogue are extremely important. The first, when Miss Emily speaks with the aldermen at her home, establishes her as "dry and cold." The verbal ping-pong game does not rely on "she said" and "they said" to show the rapidity of the exchange and because the speakers can easily be identified by their choice of words. Dialogue is used in Part 2 to show the speech patterns of the characters, something Faulkner is notoriously good at. In Part 3 the dialogue between Miss Emily and the druggist shows her extreme confidence and his crippling sense of intimidation. It is notable that Homer Barron is not given the opportunity to speak. That's because Homer's personality doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of the story. He is a means to an end both for Miss Emily (who needs a husband figure) and Faulkner (who needs someone crass enough that Miss Emily, unless desperate, would never choose). Emily Grierson Homer Barron Board of Aldermen Druggist How do some of the themes of "A Rose for Emily" resonate with readers decades after the story's publication? "A Rose for Emily" explores several themes, including tradition versus progress and patriarchy. Though the story was published in 1930 its themes resonate with today's audience because they are universal to human experience. Tradition versus progress remains an ongoing debate between generations. In Jefferson the older generation reveres southern manners and good breeding while the younger generation feels no need for the pomp and circumstance of the past. Today's generational divide is often centered around technology. For example, young people are more likely to rely on cell phones while older people refuse to give up their landlines. Arguments can be made for and against each, just as when the aldermen debate the best way to approach Miss Emily about the smell in her yard. This is still the case in the 21st century where youth leads the way in innovation while the old and staid prefer time-honored traditions. Though "A Rose for Emily" takes place during the 19th century, its message about the strength of the patriarchy, and what it takes to overcome it, is still relevant to readers. It would be easy to look at the Western world and say that women have made great strides in securing personal freedoms, but there are still places in the world where women are beholden to their fathers and then their husbands. Though women have made great strides since Miss Emily's day, the patriarchy is still king in many parts of the world. Emily Grierson Patriarchy Tradition versus Progress