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Student Name Professor Name Subject 14 Sept. 2012 Literary Essay There are some stories that will never go out of fashion, because they focus on timeless themes and larger-than-life characters. William Faulkners A Rose for Emily invites numerous interpretations, which more often than not revolve around the protagonist, Miss Emily Grierson, who is trapped by society in which she lives. The collective narrative voice is the antagonist of the story and causes the downfall of Miss Emily. Faulkner skillfully uses the unique narrative point of view to create a sense of closeness between his characters and readers, as well as to underscore the vices and virtues of human beings in general. For many decades, the readers together with the acclaimed critics try to find out who the narrator is. It seems more like a riddle wrapped up in an enigma. Taking into account the time perspective, when the short story was written, and patriarchal way of life that dominated in the society of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, it is easy to assume that what Faulkner calls we is, in fact, sympathetic men, who recount the story of one unfortunate woman. However, the beginning refutes this assumption: our whole town went to her funeral: the men through a sort of respectful affection for a fallen monument, the women mostly out of curiosity to see the inside of her house (1). Indeed, numerous voices are heard throughout the course of the narration, as if trying to present the most objective account of Miss Emilys tragedy. Older people, who still remember Miss Emilys family, her contemporaries, and younger generation chime in with their different opinions about what happened to Miss Emily, giving the readers a splendid chance to arrive at their own conclusions. The townspeoples close attention to Miss Emilys life is accounted for the

tragic outcome. While reading the story, you inevitably become a person from the crowd, listening to the gossip and trying to separate the wheat from the chaff. Faulkner involves the readers most fully into the fate of his protagonist, encouraging us to look for explanations and underlying reasons and compare them with the present day reality. The collective narrator sympathizes with Miss Emily, never condemning her actions, but, on the contrary, justifying them. The whole city seems to admire her refusal to pay taxes. Some townspeople are humored by Miss Emilys aristocratic bearing, as she drives away the representatives of the city council or buys poison. Many view her as a haughty woman, who does not want to be distracted by matters of little importance and associate with common people. The narrator complains that she carried her head high enough even when we believed that she was fallen. It was as if she demanded more than ever the recognition of her dignity as the last Grierson; as if it had wanted that touch of earthiness to reaffirm her imperviousness (1). Miss Emilys weirdness is just the desire to distance from the vulgar and teeming crowd. She is a loner, because she lives by her own standards, and she hardly cares what others think about her. Her attitude and deeds draw public attention, and she does not know what indifference means. Peoples curiosity, whispers behind Miss Emilys back, sidelong glances urge her to commit a crime. She does not fit into her society, and, therefore, is a major attraction in Jefferson. The feeling of pity penetrates every line of the narration, as many people are biased towards Miss Emily. Too much intrusion into one persons life always entails disastrous outcomes. The society back then imposed strict obligations on its members, assigning different roles to men and women. Miss Emily was gradually losing her significance, because she refused to comply with the established requirements. So when she got to be thirty and was still single, we were not pleased exactly, but vindicated; even with insanity in the family she wouldnt have turned down all of her chances if they had really materialized (1). When Homer Barron

appeared on the horizon and was noticed in the company of Miss Emily, peoples gossiping about her personal life increased. They delighted in her misfortunes, demonstrating deep concern for her well-being, but, in fact, looking for gossip, as their own lives seemed dull and uneventful. Miss Emily is a victim of societal limitations, narrow thinking, and strict codes of behavior. She has enough dignity to rise above the common mass and live as she wants. The southern culture of that time did not allow inquiring about a persons intent. However, Faulkner shows the real values of the society that sidesteps the law and does not respect the private life of its members. Despite the vices and virtues of the collective narrator, the story of Miss Emily Grierson seems highly believable. The narrators tone is friendly and informal and he or she is focused on telling the truth, regardless of whether it is honorable or not. Besides, the narrator constantly hints at possible explanations and motivations behind Miss Emilys deeds. As the narrator is the only source of information, the reader will hardly question his or her integrity. The structure of the narrators tale resembles the stories that real people tell each other. Miss Emilys death came as no surprise to the townspeople: And so she died. Fell ill in the house filled with dust and shadows, with only a doddering servant man to wait on her (1). The curiosity of the townspeople is invigorated once again, as they step over the threshold of her house. Although the readers learn a lot about Miss Emily through the narrator, they do not know her and the truth behind her actions is never revealed. The narrator establishes rapport with the reader through informal tone and friendly attitude. At the beginning of the story, the narrator seems young, impressed by Miss Emilys aristocratic bearing. Later on, he or she seems very old to recount the details of her childhood and youth, and towards the end of the story this person grows as old as the woman, presenting her story with compassion. The readers can easily identify themselves with any

person in the crowd, sharing or discarding the opinions of the majority and passing on their own understanding of Miss Emily Grierson.

Works Cited Faulkner, William. A Rose for Emily, 1930. 13 Sept. 2012 <http://www.eng.fju.edu.tw/English_Literature/Rose/el-text-E-Rose.htm>.