William Faulkner is a strong writer and does a very good job at using symbolism. William Faulkner lived from 1897 to 1962, so he was able to see that period first hand. An analysis of William Faulkner’s story “A Rose for Emily” uses instances of symbolism such as the title, the house, and chemicals (lime and arsenic). The title is a symbol in and of itself. The rose in the title. She was not given a rose in the story. Roses normally are given as a sign of love. Red roses are meant to symbolize the strongest amount of passion. Her father thought no man was good enough for her. She was never able to experience passion until she met Homer. When she met Homer, she thought that she fell in love. Another meaning of the rose. Medieval times were a time when the rose didn’t symbolize just love. The rose was used as a sign of silence or secrecy. A rose hung from the ceiling when secret societies met. The title could stand for Emily’s secret. She loved Homer and wanted to keep him for herself even after death. Homer Barron was Emily’s “rose”. …show more content…
A symbol of former glory of a long dead way of life. The story has parts that take place right after the civil war. Her house that belonged to her father is a relic of the world of slavery. If the house is there, then she thinks she could still live in the old life. Miss Emily’s father must have done well for himself after the civil war. The house was very large and ornate. It was described as an eyesore among eyesores. It also symbolizes the stifling power of the society in which she lives. She is expected to go through life on a certain path. She is told to go from daughter to wife to mother. As such, she was literally confined to live in her father’s house. The house is growing old and decrepit. This is how the townspeople see her aging. She is seen as a squandered beauty just like the