Psychoanalysis of “A Rose for Emily” In William Faulkner’s, “A Rose for Emily,” it is evident that Miss Emily has several undiagnosed mental disorders; they include Borderline Personality Disorder, Attachment Disorder, and Necrophilia. If one is to read, “A Rose for Emily,” it becomes clear that Miss Emily is suffering from psychological issues. These issues impede in her day to day life and health. Borderline Personality Disorder is a mental disorder in which one has unstable thoughts, moods, self-image, and functioning. Actions may be influenced by other mental instabilities, such as; mood disorders, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm and thoughts of suicide. Some symptoms Miss Emily struggle with are abandonment issues, unstable relationships, untrue self-image, reckless decisions, and empty feelings (“Borderline Personality Disorder”). She shows some of these symptoms as she refuses to pay taxes and refuses to recognize that the former mayor, Colonial Sartoris, had passed away (Faulkner). …show more content…
One suffering from RAD often has unexplained sad feelings and watches people but does not engage in social interaction (“Mayo Clinic”). We see this in an excerpt from the short story, “Now and then we would see her at a window for a moment, as the men did that night when they sprinkled the lime, but for almost six months she did not appear on the streets.” Miss Emily never goes outside of her house; she always sends her servant instead (Faulkner). Her social awkwardness and non-interaction with others are signs of Reactive Attachment Disorder