Essay about Symbolism in A Rose For Emily - 1010 Words

The main symbolism running throughout A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner, is the theme of how important it is to let go of the past. Miss Emily clings to the past and does not want to be independent. The Old South is becoming the new South and she cannot move forward. The residents of the South did not all give in to change just because they lost the Civil War. In A Rose for Emily time marches on leaving Miss Emily behind as she stubbornly refuses to progress into a new era. In the story, symbolism is used to give more details than the author actually gives to the reader. Symbolism helps to indicate how Emily was once innocent but later changes, how her hair, house, and lifestyle, helped to show her resistance to change. The story is not†¦show more content†¦The leather furniture was cracked, and if the chairs were sat upon dust rose about ones thighs. The house seemed to be submerged in shadows as if it also refused to admit the light of the future. It had once been part of the most stylish street in town. Now it was surrounded with the cotton wagons and the gasoline pumps. It had obviously become an eyesore compared to once when it had been so beautiful. Emily, as an old woman, wore a gold watch around her neck when confronted about the taxes. The watch descended so low on the chain it was hidden by her belt. Although the watch was unseen its constant ticking could be clearly heard. The watch drew attention to Emilys reluctance to observe the passing of time as generations passed by and the world changed. She was also leaning on a cane with a gold head. The gold was symbolic of her belief that she was royalty in the town and above the law. The gold was also strong like the stubborn strength she showed in facing the visitors about the taxes. Emily lived in the past when her family was powerful because of their wealth. This power was clear when Emily bought arsenic from the druggist. She easily convinced him to sell her arsenic. He was prepared to ig nore laws for Emily. This is similar to the discovery of Homer Barrons body in her bed forty years after his disappearance. She considered herself above the law even to the point of murder. Emily and her house are both decaying as they refuse to moveShow MoreRelatedA Rose for Emily: Symbolism1460 Words   |  6 PagesLancaster English 132 S.Higgins July,06 2009 In William Faulkners A Rose for Emily, the symbolism shows more about the character than is detailed by the author. Authors generally use symbolism as a way to represent the intangible qualities of the characters, places, and events in their work. Symbolism helps to indicate several things in a story. In A Rose for Emily Faulkner uses symbolism to define and characterize Emily Grierson. 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