A Rose for Emily

For the Zombies' song, see Odessey and Oracle.

"A Rose for Emily"
Short story by William Faulkner
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre(s)	Southern Gothic
Publication
Publication date	1930

"A Rose for Emily" is a short story by American author William Faulkner first published in the April 30, 1930 issue of Forum. This story takes place in Faulkner's fictional city, Jefferson, in his fictional county of Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi. It was Faulkner's first short story published in a national magazine.

Plot summary

“A Rose for Emily” is divided into five sections.

The first section opens with a description of the Grierson house in Jefferson. The narrator mentions that over the past 100 years, Miss Emily Grierson's home has fallen into disrepair and become “an eyesore among eyesores.” The first sentence of the story sets the tone of how the citizens of Jefferson felt about Emily: “When Miss Emily Grierson died, our whole town went to the funeral: the men through a sort of respectful affection for a fallen monument, the women mostly out of curiosity to see the inside of her house, which no one save an old manservant – a combined gardener and cook – had seen in at least ten years.”

It is known around town that Emily Grierson has not had guests in her home for the past decade, except her African servant who runs errands for her to and from the market and Miss Temple, her only remaining childhood friend. When a new city council takes over, however, they begin to tax her once again. She refuses to pay the taxes and appear before the sheriff, so the city authorities invite themselves into her house. When confronted on her tax evasion, Emily reminds them that she doesn't have to pay taxes in Jefferson and to speak to Colonel Sartoris, although he had died 10 years before.

In section two, the narrator explains that the Griersons had always been a very proud Southern family. Mr. Grierson, Emily’s father, believes no man is suitable for his daughter and doesn't allow her to date but instead gives her purple rosebushes toward which she is to devote all the love she would a suitor. Emily is largely dependent upon her father, and is left floundering when he dies. After Mr. Grierson's death, Emily does not allow the authorities to remove his body for three days, claiming he is still alive. She breaks down and allows authorities to take the body away for a quick burial.

Section three introduces Emily’s beau, Homer Barron, a foreman from the north. Homer comes to Jefferson with a crew of men to build sidewalks outside the Grierson home. Emily and Homer strike up a conversation after an accident with the sidewalk leaves Miss Temple paralyzed. After Emily and Homer are seen driving through town several times, Emily visits a druggist. There, she asks to purchase arsenic. The druggist asks what the arsenic is for since it was required of him to ask by law. Emily does not respond and coldly stares him down until he looks away and gives her the arsenic. When Emily opens the package, underneath the skull and bones sign is written, "For Rats."

Citizens of Jefferson believe that Miss Emily is going to commit suicide since Homer has not yet proposed in the beginning of section four. The townspeople contact and invite Emily's two cousins to comfort her. Shortly after their arrival, Homer leaves and then returns after the cousins leave Jefferson. Upon his return, Homer is last seen entering Emily's home and then never seen again. After Homer’s disappearance, Emily begins to age, gain weight, and is rarely seen outside of her home. Soon, Miss Emily passes away.

The fifth and final section begins with Jefferson women entering the Grierson home. After they arrive, Emily's black servant leaves through the back door without saying a word. After Emily's funeral, the townspeople immediately go through her house. They come across a room on the second floor which no one had seen in 40 years, and break the door down. They discover a dusty room strangely decorated as a bridal room. The room contains a man's tie, suit and shoes, and a silver toilet set which Miss Emily had purchased for Homer years before his disappearance. Homer's remains lay on the bed, dressed in a nightshirt. Next to him is an impression of a head on a pillow where the townspeople find a single “long strand of iron-gray hair.” It is thus implied that Emily had killed Homer for poisoning her purple rosebushes and had lain in the bed with his corpse up to her own death.

Narration

The story is narrated from a first-person plural perspective. (When Miss Emily Grierson died, our whole town went to her funeral) The identity of the characters specific to the use of the words "our" and "we" is not given, though it is possible that these refer to the townspeople who are narrating with a unified voice, and representing southern white society.

Chronology

Faulkner's chronology is unlike that of other writers of his time. He does not tell his story in linear fashion, but rather jumbles the sequential order. This technique builds suspense for the reader as the plot unfolds bit by bit. The reader must double as detective as each piece of the puzzle is revealed throughout the story. .....

Adaptations

Many short films have been made by literature classes and aspiring directors.

The story was adapted for a longer length film as well in 1987 by Chubby Cinema Company, and has since been released as a 27-minute video. The cast includes Anjelica Huston, John Houseman, John Randolph, John Carradine and Jared Martin.

Also, this story has been adapted many times in various regions, as it has become a notable 'camp-fire' story.

Bibliography

• Morton, Clay (2005). "'A Rose for Emily': Oral Plot, Typographic Story," Storytelling: A Critical Journal of Popular Narrative 5.1.

External links

• Full text
• A Rose for Emily study guide and teaching guide - themes, quotes, multimedia resources for students and teachers