Emily Grierson
Extended Character Analysis
Emily Grierson, an aged Southern belle, was the last surviving member of an aristocratic family living in the antebellum South. Emily’s father kept her cloistered for much of her youth. After the death of her father, she was left penniless and alone, an outsider with no friends and no marriage prospects. Emily was alternately pitied and scorned by the people of Jefferson. She ultimately failed to overcome her isolated upbringing and became the town eccentric. Emily had a brief romance with a Northern day worker named Homer Barron. After their relationship ended in his apparent abandonment of her, she secluded herself entirely.
At the end of the story, after Emily’s death, her house is investigated. What appears to have been an open secret among the townspeople is revealed: Homer’s decaying body had been kept in a bed in Emily’s house for nearly forty years.
Emily Grierson was a remnant of the traditional Southern social stratification that was phased out in the wake of the Civil War. Much of Emily’s isolation could be blamed on her aristocratic status. Her status made her an object of both reverence and resentment in the eyes of the people of Jefferson. Her father raised her in isolation and chased away potential suitors because he did not believe anyone was good enough for his daughter. The townspeople were also scandalized when Emily began a courtship with Homer Barron. Homer was a lowly Northern laborer who would traditionally have been considered well beneath Emily’s station. In order to thwart the match, the Baptist minister’s wife contacted Emily’s relatives in Alabama. They arrived soon thereafter and seemingly drive Homer away.
However, Emily’s demands for special treatment also maintained the barriers between her and the people of Jefferson. By refusing to pay taxes and refusing to let the town put a mailbox on her house, Emily clung to the past and the traditional values it represented. The townspeople, many of whom were just as traditional as Emily, enabled this behavior. Men of the Old South, like Colonel Sartoris and Judge Stevens, declined to chastise Emily for her obstinance out of respect for her station.
“A Rose for Emily” can also be read as an allegory in which Emily symbolizes the decay of the Old South and its traditions and Mr. Grierson and Emily together represent the last of the aristocracy in Jefferson. However, after the Civil War, the South was forced to modernize and accommodate intrusions on its traditions. Emily, a fading Southern belle, was symbolically unable to integrate into the rapidly changing Jefferson. She instead withered in isolation. As the story progresses, she transforms from a slim, youthful figure into a “bloated,” corpse-like one. Emily’s changing physique provides a vivid metaphor for the fate of Southern traditions. Homer Barron, who was loud, robust, and youthful, represents the intrusion of the victorious North in the postwar years. By killing Homer, Emily symbolically rejected the intrusion of the North into the Old South. Her attachment to his decaying corpse symbolizes her desire to maintain the rapidly fading traditions of the Old South. She killed him in an effort to halt time and prevent the tides of change from sweeping away the ruined past to which she clung.
The question of whether to view Emily as a tragic figure or an unhinged murderer is up for interpretation. In the former reading, Emily was a product of her upbringing. She was an isolated, lonely figure whose social status prevented her from working or forming social bonds. When Homer Barron arrived from the North, Emily likely saw in him as a potential kindred spirit, a fellow outcast. However, Homer was charismatic and funny, better able to fit in than Emily, despite the initial prejudice he faced on account of being a Northerner. Furthermore, he described himself as “not a marrying man.”
The narrator mentions that Emily’s great-aunt, old lady Wyatt, went “crazy.” This indicates that mental instability runs in the Grierson family. Emily’s cloistered childhood and inability to accept her father’s death indicate a stunting of her emotional development. This emotional stunting left her unable to distinguish life from death. By this reading, Emily was desperate to keep the only man who was ever allowed to get close to her. So, she decided to poison Homer as a means of keeping him around when it became clear that he planned to leave. That she positioned the body “in the attitude of an embrace” suggests a combination of loneliness, desperation, and a degree of disconnection from reality resulting from mental instability. Unable to discern between the living and the dead, Emily developed the same attachment to Homer’s corpse that she had with Homer when he was alive.
Yet, for all of the tragedy of Emily’s life, she was still a murderer. She deliberately sought out the druggist and requested the “best” rat poison he had with the intention of using it to kill Homer. This indicates a degree of premeditation incompatible with true innocence. By this reading, Emily’s motive may have been revenge for Homer’s apparent rejection of her. Unable to accept being spurned, especially by a man beneath her in social class, she turned to murder.
The truth of Emily’s character is likely a blend of tragedy, anger, and mental instability. Rather than either absolving or condemning Emily, William Faulkner approaches her story neutrally. This neutrality suggests that Emily is too complex a character to cast a definitive judgement against. On an allegorical level, Emily’s complexity suggests the complexity of the Old South. Though Emily’s death comes as a relief to the town, it is also a tragedy. Similarly, though cultural progress demands that the South modernize, the loss of the old traditions is inevitably tinged with nostalgia for some.
Expert Q&A
How do physical descriptions of Emily Grierson at various points in the story characterize her?
Emily Grierson's physical descriptions in the story reflect her character and life changes. Initially, she is described as a small, obese woman with a bloated appearance, suggesting a monstrous and unfriendly demeanor. This contrasts with her youthful image as a slender, attractive woman, courted by many suitors. Over time, her reclusiveness and deteriorating social life are mirrored in her aging appearance, as her hair turns gray and she grows fatter, reflecting her decline and isolation.
What does Emily Grierson's character represent and oppose in "A Rose for Emily"?
Emily Grierson represents resistance to change and clings to outdated notions of family honor and social status. Her refusal to pay taxes, accept her father's death, or acknowledge the decay of her surroundings highlights her stubbornness and detachment from reality. She opposes societal progress, preferring to live in a fantasy where her family's past prestige remains intact. Her character embodies the struggle between tradition and modernity in a changing Southern society.
Why was Emily Grierson's relationship with Homer Barton considered a disgrace?
Emily Grierson's relationship with Homer Barron was considered disgraceful by the townspeople of Jefferson because it defied social norms and class expectations. Emily, from a prestigious southern family, was seen as lowering herself by courting Homer, a northern laborer. The townspeople, adhering to traditional southern values, believed she was setting a poor example, prompting them to involve a Baptist minister to address the situation, highlighting their hypocrisy in upholding strict social standards.
In "A Rose for Emily," what conflicts existed between Emily and her father?
The conflicts between Emily and her father in "A Rose for Emily" primarily revolved around his control over her romantic life. Her father believed no suitors were good enough for Emily, often driving them away, symbolized by his possession of a horsewhip. This suggests a power imbalance and possibly abusive behavior, although physical abuse is not explicitly confirmed. Emily's father's actions likely prevented her from pursuing marriage, which would have been her escape from his dominance.
Why did many people attend Emily Grierson's funeral?
The narrator of the story says that the men came to Emily Grierson's funeral out of respectful affection and that the women came out of curiosity to see the house. However, both motives seem to have impelled everyone. Emily was a universal object of curiosity and subject for gossip in Jefferson.
What are the differences between Emily Grierson's older southern society and the next generation?
The older Southern society, represented by Emily Grierson, is steeped in antebellum traditions, such as treating women with exaggerated decorum and allowing Emily to avoid taxes. In contrast, the newer generation is more pragmatic and tolerant of changes, like Yankees working in the South, but grows impatient with Emily's outdated ways. Emily symbolizes a decaying Southern tradition, ultimately revealed through the grim discovery of Homer’s fate, highlighting the moral decline of her era.
What is the major conflict between Emily and her father in "A Rose for Emily"?
The major conflict between Emily and her father in "A Rose for Emily" revolves around his controlling nature, particularly in rejecting all her suitors, believing none were suitable for her. This overbearing behavior likely led to Emily's resentment as she missed out on typical life experiences like dating and marriage. The narrative hints at possible incest, compounding their conflict, and Emily's later relationship with Homer Barron might have been an act of rebellion against her father's influence.
In "A Rose for Emily," what is the conflict between Emily Grierson and the Board of Aldermen?
The conflict between Emily Grierson and the Board of Aldermen centers on her refusal to pay taxes. After her father's death, Colonel Sartoris had excused her taxes indefinitely, fabricating a story about a past loan from her father to the town. As the new generation of aldermen takes over, they demand payment, but Emily, clinging to the past, insists she owes nothing, dismissing their claims and ignoring that Sartoris has been dead for years.
Why did Emily Grierson want freedom in "A Rose for Emily"?
Emily Grierson sought freedom to escape her father's control and live independently, typical for young women of her era. Her father prevented her from marrying, isolating her at home. After his death, Emily desired a relationship and independence, demonstrated by her involvement with Homer Barron, despite societal disapproval. Her quest for freedom ultimately failed, resulting in a tragic and macabre conclusion to her relationship with Barron.
How did Emily Grierson support herself after ending her china-painting lessons in "A Rose for Emily"?
After ending her china-painting lessons, Emily Grierson did not have a clear source of income. She likely relied on the limited funds left by her father, as there is no evidence of her engaging in any financial activities or selling possessions. Her manservant Tobe and her basic needs were somehow managed, possibly through refusing to pay taxes or bills. Her reclusive lifestyle and minimal needs might have allowed her to subsist on her inheritance.
If you were defending Emily Grierson in court for Homer Barron's murder, what would your defense be?
To defend Emily Grierson in court for Homer Barron's murder, one could argue that evidence is circumstantial and lacks direct proof. A defense might highlight Emily's mental instability due to her oppressive upbringing and societal pressures, suggesting diminished responsibility. Alternatively, a crime of passion defense could be considered, emphasizing emotional turmoil caused by Homer's actions. The argument may also include extenuating circumstances or temporary insanity due to her father's influence and societal isolation.
What do critics say about Miss Emily Grierson in "A Rose for Emily"?
Critics often view Miss Emily Grierson as a "scapegoat" of the Old South, symbolizing its traditions and burdens. Yan (2004) argues Emily's actions, such as killing Homer, are sacrifices to maintain dignity amidst social change, reflecting her role as a tragic heroine trapped by societal norms. Frank Littler sees her story as a study in abnormal psychology and a North-South allegory. Overall, Emily is perceived as a victim rather than a murderer.
Miss Emily's Relationship with Her Father in "A Rose for Emily"
In "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner, Miss Emily Grierson's relationship with her father is characterized by control, dependence, and false pride. Her father was domineering and overprotective, viewing Emily as a possession, which stifled her autonomy and social development. He rejected all suitors, instilling in her a sense of superiority yet emotional dependency. His death left Emily in denial, profoundly affecting her mental state and foreshadowing her later actions, such as her relationship with Homer Barron.
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