A Rose For Emily s House As A Symbol And Or Metaphor Essay

1. Discuss the ways in which Faulkner uses Miss Emily s house as a symbol and/or metaphor both her character s personality and circumstances and for the narrative s broader themes. What does the description of Emily s house—at the beginning of the story, particularly, but also throughout the narrative—reveal about her character? About the story s historical setting? About the narrative s central concerns? As an image of decrepit grandeur, Miss Emily’s house is used to symbolize Miss Emily’s character herself, the historical setting in which the story takes place, and some of the story’s central themes. Described as â€Å"a big, squarish frame house that had once been white, decorates with cupolas and spires and scrolled balconies† (Faulkner 1), the house is ornate and grand in design, even being located on what was once an exclusive street in Jefferson. However, over time, it had become dilapidated and unkempt, with the interior being dark an d full of dust, possessing â€Å"a close, dank smell† (Faulkner 1). Similarly, Miss Emily was once a young lady of high standing, opulent in her own ways, but slowly aged and lost her grandeur, becoming â€Å"a small, fat woman† (Faulkner 1) whose hair was turning grayer as the days went by. Much like her home, Miss Emily was losing her charm over time, showing that her character was stubbornly grasping on to the idea that she still retained an image of splendor she no longer possessed, all while isolating herself from the rest of the town.Show MoreRelatedA Rose For Emily Literary Analysis875 Words   |  4 Pagesnew ideas allows for both the individual and society to progress. William Faulkner packs the short story â€Å"A Rose for Emily† with different types of literary devices that describes the fight against change in the post-U.S. Civil War South. 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