ENGL101 Assignment: Analyzing Themes in 'A Rose for Emily' by Faulkner

This essay provides a critical analysis of William Faulkner's short story, 'A Rose for Emily', focusing on the central theme of change and its impact on the protagonist, Emily Grierson, and the fictional town of Jefferson. The analysis examines the social and economic transformations occurring in the post-Civil War South, highlighting the conflict between old traditions and the emerging modern era. The essay explores how Emily embodies this conflict, clinging to the past while the world around her modernizes. The author discusses the portrayal of racial prejudice, class distinctions, and the destructive power of time, as reflected in Emily's actions and the town's reactions. Through textual evidence and examples, the analysis illustrates the timeless struggle of adapting to change and the consequences of resisting it, emphasizing the story's continued relevance to contemporary society. The essay also references the changing value system and class consciousness within society, relating the transformation of Jefferson to the modern world. The references used in the essay are also mentioned in the end.

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Analysis- A Rose for Emily
“A Rose for Emily” is a short story written by James Faulkner. It was first published
in the Forum Magazine in April, 1930. The story talks about Emily Grierson, a lonely lady
living in the fictional city of Jefferson, in the fictional southern county, Yoknapatawpha of
Mississippi. This paper aims to critically analyse the theme of the story- which essentially
portrays the process of change. Through the story, the author depicts the social and
economic change ongoing in the setting of Jefferson, and people’s reaction to this
change.
The narration of the story continues as a collective reflection on the lead character and
the society. The story takes place after the Civil War, the period which is known as
Reconstruction in the south. There were still remnants and practices of the appalling slavery
system present in the society. Through the story, Faulkner talks of social and economic
change, and portrays a picture of racial prejudice and class distinction as well. Through
Emily’s character, Faulkner portrays the conflict of traditions and change. During the time-
period mentioned in the story, Jefferson was at a juncture of old world traditions and
radical change of the new era. It was the transformation of the old south to the new south.
Emily is a symbol of that conflict. She rejected her father’s manners of treating her,
controlling her life. However, she embraced the old world essence, once her father passed
away. With the whole town changing into modern facilities such as mail system, garages

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and cotton gin, she stuck to her macabre maiden chamber, as if a monument to the olden
days.
The author carefully strings together pieces of maltreatments and judgements, made
by the characters in the story, to portray archaic traditions and misdemeanour among
social strata. For example, Judge Stevens refers to Emily’s black male servants as “that
nigger of hers”, or the townspeople disapproving Homer Barron as Emily’s suitor as he
belonged to “too low a class” compared to her (Faulkner). On the other hand, the social
revolution had started. People started to adopt the fruits of industrial revolution. The
traditional value system was changing as well. Mayor Sartoris, as a true Southern
gentleman, exempted Emily’s taxes due to her tragic conditions. Once he passed away. The
new authority tried to impose taxes once again. This indicates the changed socioeconomic
scenario, where industrialization was in full swing and hence required monetary benefit from
the taxpayers. Emily, however, refused to pay any such taxes. She simply secluded herself in
her secretive life, living as a monument of the old traditions.
Thus, the story “A Rose for Emily” is a journey of a woman, a city and a community.
Jefferson emerges to a new era of modernization, with the new wave of open economy,
individualistic lifestyle and industrialization. However, people hold to their archaic norms,
conflicts of race and social status. Mr Grierson here depicts that old world and Homer
Barron is the symbol of embracing the change, whereas Emily stands in the juncture, torn
between both the worlds. The importance of this piece of literature is its portrayal of change
and conflict of social perception. It brings out a timeless struggle of embracing change and
this is still relevant to the contemporary social scenario. Society is ever changing in its
essential nature. The value system and class consciousness of people living in the society
changes with emerging socioeconomic trends and practices. Just as the transformation of

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Jefferson from a feudal system to modernized economy owing to industrialization, the
current society is undergoing several changes in its value system.
With the development of technology and globalization, our society is facing severe
issues which were unprecedented. People may have a hard time adopting to that change.
However, the wave of change carries through with time. Whatever norms are practices are
acceptable to the people today, may change with time. Although, some of them tend to stick
to those practices and beliefs, eventually they have to give in. Those who cannot cope up,
perishes along the way. And this conflict will remain with every transformation of human
society. The central theme of the story is of change and decay, the destructive power of time.
A force Emily refuses to recognize. However, this is not something to be ignored. Just as
Emily’s ticking watch hidden in her bosom- never seen but heard nonetheless.

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References
A Rose for Emily"." Advances in Language and Literary Studies 7.4 (2016): 220-230.
Faulkner, William. Collected stories. McClelland & Stewart, 2018.