Symbolism in William Faulkner’s A Rose for Emily

I. The Symbol of Miss Emily

In this short story, Miss Emily is a static character who refused to believe that the times were changing and refused to change into the new society. As a Mississippi Southern Belle, she was born and raised in a wonderful state. She is considered a “monument” of southern manners and an ideal of past values. Her southern heritage and points of view are represented through her actions. Her stubbornness and unrelenting attitude are very strong characteristics of the southern heritage, so Emily symbolizes the old southern tradition; her death symbolizes the collapse of the old southern tradition.

Ⅱ.    The Symbol of the House.

           In this short story, Faulkner applies symbolism to compare the Grierson house with Emily’s physical deterioration, her shift in social standing, and her unwillingness to accept changing. When compared chronologically, it is used to symbolize Emily’s physical attributes. And Faulkner also sets the house as a symbol for Emily’s change in social status. When Miss Emily died, her and her house both become symbols of their dying generation.

Ⅲ.    The Symbol of Rose.

           William Faulkner’s symbolic use of the “rose” is essential to the story’s theme of Miss Emily’s self-isolation. The rose is often a symbol of love, and portrays an everlasting beauty. And for Emily, the “rose” clearly defines something sacred. It is symbolizes the love between Emily and Homer Barron, and Homer Barron was Emily’s only “rose”.

Ⅳ.    The Symbol of the Small Town.

           Most of Faulkner’s works are set in the American South with his emphasis on the southern subjects and consciousness. In the short story, the small town does not only reveal the social and economic history of Yoknapatawpha Country, but also symbolizes the social and economic history of the south.

Ⅴ.    The Symbol of Homer Barron.

           Homer Barron who came from the north represented the Yankee attitudes toward the Griersons and also toward the entire south. He was very adaptable to change. So he symbolizes the north and the next generation with its more modern ideas.

Ⅵ.    The Symbol of the Negro-Tobe.

           Although Faulkner doesn’t write a lot about him, he is not a nobody. Because of the slavery system, Tobe lives a walking corpse life and spends his time quietly. He has no freedom of speech and action, so he talked to no one, probably not even to Emily, for his voice had grown harsh and rusty, as if from disuse. As matter of fact, we can say, the Negro suffered from aphasia under the long pressure. And only after Emily died, did the Negro become freemen. So Emily’s death symbolizes the collapse of the old tradition, and the disappearance of Tobe symbolizes the disintegration of Keeping Slavery System.

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