Multi-Layer Symbolism in A Rose for Emily v2

Although strings of complex and extraordinary symbolism are vastly prevalent throughout gothic literature, they are most stunningly exhibited in William Faulkner’s seminal work; “A Rose for Emily.” Set only a short time after the American Civil War, “A Rose for Emily” appears to be an epitaph for a respected elderly woman, beginning with the scene of her funeral. As more is revealed about the events leading up to the funeral, however, increasingly sordid details are exposed about Ms. Emily’s personal life, leading to a final, shocking discovery in the last section. Not only is there obvious surface symbolism and simple foreshadowing displayed in the story, but if each character is assigned a symbolic role, an even more poignant and serious tale is told through Faulkner’s masterfully crafted sentences. The central character of the story is the late Emily Grierson, a formerly proud old woman from a small but respectable family. Being an only child, Emily was viciously sheltered by her father. A strong and rash man, Emily’s father was the only person she was close to, and she had a very close relationship to him. It is implied, however, throughout the story, that Emily’s relationship with her father was less than ideal. A more sordid connection to her father is evidenced by Emily’s odd method of grief and denial when her father finally passes away, and her future romantic misconduct. Miss Grierson is most commonly characterized as a living personification of the ways of the old south and her painful loss of her father may represent the damage caused to the south at the loss of its leaders, convictions, and traditions after the Civil War. The ways of the old south were painfully ripped away, and it never truly recovered, j... ... middle of paper ... ...free at last. However, his fate is uncertain. He is old and withered, and has known structure all his life. The unsure future of the Griersons’ servant mimics that of the freed black slaves in the south, completely lost in life, without direction, possessing only hope. Not only does William Faulkner, the praised wordsmith, lure the reader into his beautiful short story with entrancing sentence and wordplay, but also with expert use of foreshadowing, non-linear plots, historical parallels, and most importantly; deep, potent symbolism which is abundant in every nook and cranny of this story. Even without deeper meanings, this short piece of literature deserves to be a classic, and with them, it’s pushed to an even higher level. “A Rose for Emily” is the classic in the Southern Gothic genre, and to this day no work has come close to its brilliance or perfection.