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A Rose For Emily Literary Analysis

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The short story by William Faulkner entitled “A Rose for Emily” is the best short story from the reading assignments this week due to the authors use of characters, setting, plot, and symbolism in a manner that draws the reader in and makes the reader want to know more about the events leading up to the death and funeral of Emily Grierson (Kirszner and Mandell, 2012). As a reader you want to understand the sequence of occurrences that lead us to this event. Due to the events not being communicated in chronological order, the reader is forced to try to put the events together in a way that makes sense. Drawn in from the beginning, I wanted to know more about what got us to this place and the people and factors that result in this story standing the test of time. As I read the story, I also wanted to understand and appreciate the meaning of the title, “A Rose for Emily” (Kirszner and Mandell, 2012, p. 143).
The story has a number of examples of dominant men and dependent women characterized appropriately for this period of time in the United States. Personally, I am drawn to the strong southern white woman despite the fact that she led a sheltered life and drew pity, and no doubt, suffered abuse on probably more than one level. Emily did not rise from her challenges as a strong, self-sufficient, successful woman; instead she suffered in isolation and silence away from the world where the people did not meet her needs. I am drawn to this character, but not inspired by or proud
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