A Rose For Emily: Fallen From Grace :: essays research papers fc

A Rose for Emily Fallen from GraceA comparative essay on the using up of symbolism in William Faulkners "ARose for Emily."     Authors traditionally use symbolism as a way to represent the some convictions nonphysical qualities of the characters, places, and chargets in their works. Inhis short story "A Rose for Emily," William Faulkner uses symbolism to comparethe Grierson signaling with Emily Griersons physical deterioration, her shift in affectionate standing, and her reluctancy to buy out change.     When compared chronologically, the Grierson star sign is used to symbolizeMiss Emilys physical attri yetes. In its prime, the Grierson brook is describedas "white, decorated with cupolas and spires and scrolled balconies in theheavily lightsome mien of the seventies" (Faulkner 69). This descriptionsuggests that the house was built non only for function, but also to impress andengage the attention of the other t ownspeople. Similarly, the wealthy women ofthe era, Emily Grierson not withstanding, were dressed in a conspicuous manner.This, for the most part, is because their appearance was sensed as a directreflection on their husbands and/or fathers. This disclose of extravagance wasegotistically designed by men to give an fantasy of wealth to onlookers.Emily was regarded by her father as property. Her significance to him was toughly ornamental, vindicatory as their overly lavish home was. As the plotprogresses, the contributor is clearly made aware of the physical decline of both thehouse and Miss Emily. Just as the house is described as " feeling of dust anddisuse," evidence of Emilys own aging is given when her voice in similarly saidto be "harsh, and rusty, as if from disuse" (70-74). Ultimately, at the time ofEmilys death, the house is seen by the townspeople as "an eyesore amongeyesores," and Miss Emily is regarded as a "fallen monument" (69). Both areempty, and lifeless. Neither are even remotely representative of their formersplendor.     Just as their physical characteristics, Faulkner uses the Grierson houseas a symbol for Miss Emilys change in social status. In its prime, the housewas "big," and "squarish," and located on Jeffersons "most select track" (69).This description gives the reader the impression that the residence was not only super solid, but also larger than life, almost gothic in nature, and obviously impervious to the petty problems of the common people. The members ofthe Grierson family, especially Emily, were also considered to be strong andpowerful. The townspeople regarded them as regal. And Emily, as the lastliving Grierson, came to symbolize her familys, and possibly the entire souths,rich past. The townspeoples reveration of Emily soon decayed, however, once it