Emily Grierson

Kemdra Lin
Daniel Elizondo
Critical essay
May 26, 2003
Emily Grierson
Faulkner¡¯s "A Rose for Emily" is told from the viewpoint of a resident of Jefferson. The story portraits Emily, the daughter of a south Grierson family as a cruel, and revengeful lady. Emily is a character living in the transitional period of the south .£¨Daniel£©On the one hand; she refuses to acknowledge her loved one¡¯s death and holds on her tax exempt status. Yet, as a victim of the old patriarchy, she ignores the old social norms by falling in love with a Yankee. Her attempt to retain Homer while living in the past world is the reflection of such a contradictory character. However, Emily's love with Homer is doomed to be a failure because her body and soul are full of dust while Homer is such a candid, unfettered and uncultivated person. Her inability to reconcile these conflicts of her character eventually leads to the murder of Homer and her retreat to the world of past.
...