Analyzing Tobe's Role in Faulkner's 'A Rose for Emily' Story

This essay delves into the character of Tobe in William Faulkner's short story, 'A Rose for Emily.' The essay examines Tobe's significance within the narrative, particularly in relation to the protagonist, Miss Emily Grierson. It explores the events surrounding Homer Barron's murder and how Tobe's presence and actions contribute to understanding Miss Emily's character and motivations. The analysis references T.J. Stafford's insights on Tobe's role, highlighting the servant's importance in Miss Emily's life and his function as a means of connection to the outside world. The essay also discusses the allegorical and symbolic meanings associated with Tobe, emphasizing his role beyond the story's resolution. The essay uses quotes to determine the reference to the negro servant that the author uses to explain his importance in the life of Miss Emily Grierwood.

Running head: “TOBE” SIGNIFICANCE IN “A ROSE FOR EMILY”
“To Be” Significance in “A Rose for Emily”
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1“TOBE” SIGNIFICANCE IN “A ROSE FOR EMILY”
Table of Contents
Question -1.................................................................................................................................2
Question – 2...............................................................................................................................2
Question -3.................................................................................................................................2
Question – 4...............................................................................................................................3
Reference List............................................................................................................................4

2“TOBE” SIGNIFICANCE IN “A ROSE FOR EMILY”
Question -1
“A Rose for Emily” is a short story that was written by American author William
Faulkner and was first published in the April 1930 issue of The Forum magazine. However,
the article from which this context is taken. T. J. Stafford is the author who has provided an
analysis on the significance of the character named Tobe in the life of the protagonist of the
story named Miss. Emily Grierson. The author has provided a detailed significance of this
character in the life of the protagonist as well as had provided references to the name to
explain the servant’s name. Thus, the author has successfully managed to include the
characters and their significances in the context.
Question – 2
In the content, itself, the writer has described the events that takes place after the
murder of Homer Barron at the hands of Emily Grierson and has tried to provide the reason
for the murder by helping the readers to understanding of the character of Miss Emily
Grierson herself. As stated by Faulkner (1958), the author has also described in details the
character of “ToBe” who is a negro slave of the protagonist of the story, Miss Emily herself.
In the story, itself, the author has provided the audiences about the activities of the
Negro servant of Miss Emily as well as the references with which are attributed to the
servant. Basically, the author has talked about the activities of the servant as well as the
references attributed to his name. This is basically what the author has talked about in the
book itself.
Question -3
In the articles provided, the author has basically talked about the murder of Homer
Bonner at the hands of Miss Emily Grierson herself. The author in the article has basically
provided a description of the murder and how the character of Miss Emily Grierson should

3“TOBE” SIGNIFICANCE IN “A ROSE FOR EMILY”
basically be understood to understand the reason behind the murder. In the second paragraph,
the author has provided a general description of the character of the negro servant named “To
Be “which actually stands for Toby. The author has provided allegorical as well as reference
texts that indicate the relationship between “ToBe” and Miss Emily Grierson and also
describes the importance of the servant in the life of Miss Emily Grierson. Thus, the author in
the novel has talked about the life of Miss Emily Grierson and the tragedies that she has faced
in her life. The author has also expressed salutation to the lady in reference in the book about
whom the story is written by the author (Faulkner, 1958).
Question – 4
“The servant offers Miss Emily the means for contract with humanity in two ways”.
“The Negro Servant’s importance actually lies beyond the importance of the story’s end”.
These quotes used by the author determines the reference to the negro servant that the
author uses to explain his importance in the life of Miss Emily Grierwood.

4“TOBE” SIGNIFICANCE IN “A ROSE FOR EMILY”
Reference List
Faulkner, William, John Carradine, and Anjelica Huston. A rose for Emily. Paderborn, De:
Verlag F. Schöningh, 1958.