A social system in which males hold primary power and social privilege while women are largely excluded portrays the idea of patriarchy. The Feminist Critical Perspective is applied throughout the short story “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner. Patriarchy, as well as feminist criticism, is demonstrated by the protagonist Emily Grierson in “A Rose for Emily.” While the treatment amongst men and women are questionable in society already, Faulkner demonstrates the reality of women’s existence through the Feminist Critical Perspective in the short story “A Rose for Emily.” William Faulkner, a southern writer, portrayed the Feminist Critical Theory in the story “A Rose for Emily.’ Faulkner was born in Mississippi which explains the use of feminism in his literature. Marriage and motherhood was important in Faulkner’s stories as well as the female being inferior and unimportant to the men; though he expressed the impact women had on male characters. The portrayal of women not being capable of pertaining certain jobs and responsibilities during that time was …show more content…
As Emily portrayed herself in an amiable manner, men initiated to take interest in her, like Homer Barron. She sought out to make him happy while she tended to him as a southern wife although he “was not a marrying man.” Following Homer’s death, the reality of Emily’s true self arose. Without the effort to attract a man Emily “had grown fat and her hair was turning gray.” While society places expectations for a woman’s appearance, women actually pursue and try to live up to those expectations. However, Emily perceived herself as an aristocratic woman who believed that people in society should generally look up to her. No matter how or what she presented herself as, Emily thought that society would view her as