Rose for Emily by William Faulkne Essay Example

Rose for Emily by William Faulkne Essay A Decayed Rose for Emily William Faulkner once said, Given a choice between grief and nothing, Id choose grief. (goodreads) He further explains why hed do this in A Rose for Emily; although the story is not about him, he details the loneliness and decay of a poor women, Miss Emily. Emily cannot grasp the idea of death and this leads to the decay of everything around her. A Rose for Emily illustrates the theme of decay in the town, the house, and in herself. The short story A Rose for Emily written by William Faulkner is a tale about an old women named Emily living in the town of Jefferson. The story is told by an unknown narrator who lives in the town of Jefferson. We learn about the life and times of Emily, and her relationship with the town, her father and her lover. At the end of the story we find out about the disturbing truth Miss Emily was hiding. As Emily grows older so does the town that she lived in for her entire life. While she had once lived on one of the nicest streets in Jefferson, the street is now considered to be one of the worst in the town. It seems that the street had aged and decayed with Miss Emily. In her youth, Emily and her family were respected and known as some of Jeffersons finest itizens. We will write a custom essay sample on Rose for Emily by William Faulkne specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Rose for Emily by William Faulkne specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Rose for Emily by William Faulkne specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer All of the respect that her father earned died with the old men and women of the town. Emilys father was somewhat of a monument for the old south before the war. When he died, those values of the old south seemed to decay with him. The house that Emily lives in was at one time one of the most beautiful homes in the whole town of Jefferson. When Emily was young the house was well kept. As Emily aged so did the house she lived in. The house became an eyesore for the entire town. With faded paint and an un-kept yard it even began to smell at one point. It would eem that the house and Emily were connected in a way. Both of them had grown old and lost their splendor. Emily had once been one of the most beautiful ladies in Jefferson. With her father alive, no man dared to date her. As she grew older, she began to decay and lose some of her looks. In her old age she began to gain weight and her hair turned gray. It would also seem that her mind decayed as well. She had one love, Homer Barron, which the town assumed he left her. It is revealed in the end of the story that he in fact didnt leave her. Emily had poisoned Homer and left his body in her bed. Emilys ind had decayed to such a point that she was not aware of what was right or wrong. She could not even understand what was normal. While Faulkner had many themes A Rose for Emily, the theme of decay was the most prevalent throughout the entire story. The town of Jefferson, the house, and Emily all grew old. Miss Emily lost her mind and looks. The house lost the beauty it once held. The town of Jefferson changed and grew old. What had been a nice southern town had decayed. A Rose for Emily shows the way in which we all grow old and decay. Faulkner, W.. N. p.. web. 16 oct 2013. Heller, T.. N. p.. web. 16 oct 2013..