A Rose for Emily

Carroll 1 Jackie Carroll D Willis Instructor English 101 232 24 October 2013 Stuck in the past in “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner Change causes a person to do things out of the norm. It is common for people to fear change. Most people although afraid will accept the changes and adapt to it. Others will control that change unwilling to adhere to the new and unfamiliar way of things. Many are stuck in the past, in the traditions that guide their lives. Emily Grierson is a product of the Old South, rich in traditions and set in her ways. The New south means change; traditions are lost and replaced with new customs. Even though afraid of change Emily will control the changes in her life, the loss of her father, the respect of the town, and even the reality of her own life in “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner. I. Initially after the loss of her father Emily Grierson refuses to let go of him and the influence he has over her in “A Rose for Emily”. II. Above all Emily thinks that her name means something to the town, losing the respect of the town’s people Emily makes a big change in her life in Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”. III. Because of all the changes in her life and her inability to accept those changes, Emily loses her own reality and is stuck in the past in “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner. Due to the fear of change Emily is unable to let go of the past and has begun to control the aspect that are changing in her life, the death of her father, the respect of the town, and even the reality in which she lives in Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”. After the death of her father Emily refuses to admit he is dead. She will not accept the fact that the only man in her life is gone. Once her father dies the town’s people begin to force Emily to change and accept the New South. Emily’s Stubbornness and unwillingness to conform to the new generation’s way of doing things lead the town’s people feeling sorry for her instead of respecting her. In the end Emily will ultimately lose her sanity. Unable to face the changes in her life Emily replaces reality with an illusion of what her life really is. Carroll 2 Stuck in the past in “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner Change causes a person to do things out of the norm. It is common for people to fear change. Most people although afraid will accept the changes and adapt to it. Others will control that change unwilling to adhere to the new and unfamiliar way of things. Many are stuck in the past, in the traditions that guide their lives. Emily Grierson is a product of the Old South, rich in traditions and set in her ways. The New south means change; traditions are lost and replaced with new customs. Even though afraid of change Emily will control the changes in her life, the loss of her father, the respect of the town, and even the reality of her own life in “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner. Initially after the loss of her father Emily Grierson refuses to let go of him and the influence he has over her in “A Rose for Emily”. Emily’s father was a big part of her existence he was the only man in her life. For years he had ran off suitor that had called upon Emily. Once he was gone it is hard for her to adapt to life without him. She refuses to believe that he is dead telling the ladies of the town “that her father was not dead” (101). She had been very close to her father and without him her live would not be the same. She never leaves the house she stays secluded from the town. By remaining alone she will not have to face the fact that any change has taken place. Above all Emily thinks that her name means something to the town, losing the respect of the town’s people Emily makes a big change in her life in Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”. For years Emily and her family are a tradition in the town. The town holds Emily to high southern standards; her father had been an influential person while he was a live. Now that he was gone the people of the town started to “pity Miss Emily” (101). She is alone and considered a pauper. Yet Emily will not accept the fact they are pity her. When the Aldermen came to collect the taxes she dismisses them telling them that she owes no tax. After a strange smell appears coming from the Grierson’s house the people start to “feel really sorry for her” (101). When Emily began to see Homer, a Northern Yankee construction worker the town begins spreading rumors. They even call her a Carroll 3 “disgrace….. and a bad example to young people”(103). Emily decides to take matters in her own hands she goes to the jewelers and bought items to give to Homer. Hoping that will stop the whispering of the town. Because of all the changes in her life and her inability to accept those changes, Emily loses her own reality and is stuck in the past in “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner. The death of Emily begins to show signs of mental collapse. For three days her father lay in the house with her refusing to admit that he is dead. After the disappearance of Homer Emily stays tucked away inside her house only seen on occasions and then just through the windows. Her physical appearance changes also from that of a “slender figure in white” to a fat grey haired women (101). When Emily dies the town people are anxiously the funeral so they can see the inside of the home. Once inside the true decay of Emily’s reality is learned. Due to the fear of change Emily is unable to let go of the past and has begun to control the aspect that are changing in her life, the death of her father, the respect of the town, and even the reality in which she lives in Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”. After the death of her father Emily refuses to admit he is dead. She will not accept the fact that the only man in her life is gone. Once her father dies the town’s people begin to force Emily to change and accept the New South. Emily’s Stubbornness and unwillingness to conform to the new generation’s way of doing things lead the town’s people feeling sorry for her instead of respecting her. In the end Emily will ultimately lose her sanity. Unable to face the changes in her life Emily replaces reality with an illusion of what her life really is.