A Rose for Emily

Aminata Arimah
English 111
Dr Martin “A Rose for Emily” Analysis page. Emily, a victim of the old southern societal pressure found herself unable to adapt and accept changes in the new society. She lived a lonely life in her time capsule and found solace in necrophilism.

“Fallen monument.” (55). Emily was the last survivor of her family who was once very respected and dignified. “August name.” (55). Highlights what she represented to the town older generations; she was still in their mind the aristocrat southern woman. “ Grief could not cause a real lady to forget noblesse oblige.” (59). She was expected to live an exemplary lifestyle by her father and the town traditionalists. She was held at a very high standard. “Thus she passed from generation to generation –dear, inescapable, impervious, tranquil, and preserve.” (61). Emily was an idol in her town, even in death she was viewed as being preserved. The passage also illustrated the different generation gap. Emily was viewed as an idol by the elders and as an eccentric by the new generation. “To whom all the past is not diminishing” “no winter has never touched.”( 61). In Emily’s mind, life was at a stand. She refused to acknowledge changes and make sure that her environment did not change.” She resisted paying her taxes or having a mailbox attached to her door. “Her front door closed upon the last one and remained closed for good..” (60) Emily lived a vey lonely life with no outside contact. “she told them that her father was not dead” ( 58), “see Colonel Sartoris” (57) Emily refused to accept death and spoke of the dead as they were still alive. This also showed that Emily lived in her own reality. “ The body had apparently once lain in the attitude of an embrace” showed that Emily was engaged in necrophilism. She found love and companionship with the dead body of her once lover.