Student Question

Does Miss Emily's black persona in "A Rose for Emily" have a special connotation?

Quick answer:

Miss Emily in "A Rose for Emily" is not a black person, as indicated by her treatment in society. She belongs to an "august" family, receiving respect and deference from powerful townspeople, which would not be the case if she were black. For instance, officials respectfully ask her to pay taxes and leave when she refuses, showcasing the privileges associated with her social status, which would not be extended to a black person in that era.

Expert Answers

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I do not really understand this question.  Perhaps you can clarify it.  There is no way that Miss Emily Grierson is a black person in this story.

We can know that Miss Emily is not a black person because of the way that other people in the society treat her.  We are told that she is one of the "august names" in the society of her town.  A black person would not be.

We are shown cases where the powerful people in her town come and act very respectful towards her.  They would never have treated a black person like this -- asking her to pay taxes and just leaving when she refuses, for example.

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