Themes: Death and Control

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Emily Grierson’s relationship with death was not a healthy one; her relationships with the dead men in her life interacted uneasily with the relationships she had with them when they were living. Early in the story, it is revealed that Emily tried to keep the body of her father in the house with her for several days after his death. Emily’s father was a controlling, overbearing man who believed nobody was good enough for his daughter and rarely let her out into society. Emily’s desire to keep his body after he was dead represented an element of strong denial on her part that things were about to change for her, but it also represented an opportunity for her to exert some control over her father, who had always controlled her. In death, he was unable to oppose her.

In the same way, when Homer Barron was poised to jilt Emily and leave town, Emily exerted control over him in the only way she was able: she purchased poison, killed him, and then expressed her agency by keeping his body in her house for many decades. If Homer Barron would not choose of his own accord to spend his life with Emily, then Emily would make the decision for him, in the house that represented her unquestioned domain. Nobody in the town dared to question her, even when a horrifying smell began to emerge around the property. While they were fascinated by her, their understanding of her as a “tradition” meant that they honored her right to her own jurisdiction.

Expert Q&A

Why didn't Miss Emily in "A Rose for Emily" want to pay taxes or get house numbers, and why did she kill Homer?

In "A Rose for Emily," Miss Emily refuses to pay taxes or get house numbers due to her desire to control her environment and resist change following her father's death. Her tax exemption was a fabricated story by the mayor to protect the town's aristocrats. She kills Homer Barron to prevent him from leaving her, symbolizing her extreme resistance to change. Her actions reflect her mental instability and symbolize the South's inability to move past its history.

How does Emily react to her father's death in "A Rose for Emily"?

Emily reacts to her father's death with denial and an inability to let go. She initially refuses to acknowledge his death and keeps his body in the house for several days. This behavior indicates her deep-seated dependency and foreshadows her later actions with Homer Barron. Emily's inability to accept reality and move forward highlights her psychological struggles and the impact of her father's control over her life.

How does the following quote foreshadow the ending of "A Rose for Emily"?

"Then we knew that this was to be expected too; as if that quality of her father which had thwarted her woman's life so many times had been too virulent and too furious to die."

The quote foreshadows the ending by highlighting the lasting impact of Emily's father's control over her life, suggesting her inability to form healthy relationships. This oppressive influence leads Emily to drastic actions, including murdering Homer Barron to prevent abandonment. The phrase "quality of her father" implies that his controlling nature has left Emily psychologically scarred, driving her to ensure Homer remains with her permanently, thus foreshadowing the grim discovery of his corpse at the story's end.

Faulkner's use of symbolism, motifs of death and decay, and specific details to enhance themes and foreshadow events in "A Rose for Emily."

In "A Rose for Emily," Faulkner uses symbolism, motifs of death and decay, and specific details to enhance themes and foreshadow events. The decaying house symbolizes Emily's deteriorating state, while the motif of death underscores the story’s macabre tone. Specific details, like the strand of hair on the pillow, foreshadow the revelation of Homer Barron's corpse, emphasizing the themes of mortality and resistance to change.

The five deaths in "A Rose for Emily"

The five deaths in "A Rose for Emily" are those of Emily's father, Colonel Sartoris, Emily's long-time servant Tobe, Homer Barron, and Emily herself. Emily's father dies early in the story, followed by Colonel Sartoris. Homer Barron is poisoned by Emily, Tobe disappears after Emily's death, and Emily herself dies at the end of the story.

Miss Emily's denial of her father's death in "A Rose for Emily."

In "A Rose for Emily," Miss Emily's denial of her father's death reflects her inability to accept change and loss. She keeps his body for three days, insisting he is still alive, which exemplifies her struggle to let go and move on from the past.

Love and Death in "A Rose for Emily"

In William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily," the themes of love and death intertwine to reflect the decay of the Old South. Emily Grierson's life is marked by her inability to accept death, as seen in her denial of her father's demise and her preservation of Homer Barron's corpse. The story begins and ends with a funeral, underscoring the persistent presence of death. Emily's actions, driven by a distorted perception of love, attempt to freeze time and prevent the loss of those she clings to, symbolizing the struggle to preserve past traditions.

In "A Rose for Emily," does Emily become more human after her father's death?

Emily becomes more human to the citizens of Jefferson after her father's death because she is no longer seen as an untouchable aristocrat. Her fall from wealth allows the townspeople to pity her and see her as one of them, dealing with common struggles. Despite their sympathy, the townspeople's reaction is somewhat callous as they take pleasure in her misfortune. Emily's father's death also impacts her mental stability, making her more reclusive.

The significance of "A Rose for Emily" continuing thirty years after Homer Barron's death and its impact on his role as an antagonist

The significance of "A Rose for Emily" continuing for thirty years after Homer Barron's death emphasizes Emily's isolation and the town's evolving perception of her. This prolonged period underscores the lasting impact of Homer's disappearance and cements his role as an antagonist whose mysterious fate haunts both Emily and the community.

Did Emily's father's death contribute to her despair in "A Rose for Emily"?

Emily's father's death significantly contributed to her despair due to his overbearing control, which left her unprepared for the real world. After his death, Emily struggled to adapt, clinging to the past and refusing to acknowledge changes like paying taxes. His death left her isolated and financially unstable, heightening her loneliness and desperation. This despair led her to cling to Homer Barron, ultimately resulting in her poisoning him to prevent another loss. Emily's actions reflect her inability to cope with abandonment.

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