Essay Example on Interpretation of a Fiction Story: A Rose for Emily

Introduction

A Rose for Emily is about a woman who had spent most of her life in her house without going out and interacting with the rest of the community. Emily Grierson did not marry until her father's death; but rather, she spent her life living with his father. However, Emily's father died when Emily was about thirty years old. William Faulkner narrates Emily's story after her death. According to Faulkner, Emily had stopped going out close to ten years since she has ceased offering the painting classes to children in the town (2). Henceforth, the only person who was seen moving in and out of Emily's squarish house was, Tobe, the family cook, and gardener. The only time that the town's people noticed of her being alive was when she peeped on her window.

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Stereotypes and Gender Issues in "A Rose for Emily"

The interpretation of "A Rose for Emily" involves an understanding of the prevalence of stereotypes and specifically, gender issues. From the story, it is evident that negro women were denied the freedom of expression. That is, every negro woman who appeared in the streets was required to cover herself with an apron lest they remitted taxes (Faulkner 1). Also, the issue regarding the denial of freedom of expression for the negro women can be understood as a violation of human rights. It is evident in the story that the town leadership prevented the negro women for enjoying their freedom as articulated by the instances when the mayors sent letters as well as visited her house regarding her payment of taxes.

Emily's House: Symbolism of Isolation and Slavery

Also, the description of Emily house portrays isolation and slavery. Emily's house was different from the rest of the housing structures in the town; her house was old and so was the paintings too. The fact that Emily decided to live a lonely life without going out, and yet the town mayors required her to pay taxes reflects the discrimination that prevailed in Jefferson, Emily's town (Khrais 123). For the time that Emily's father had been alive, Emily was forced to live with him without marrying; hence, she did not have freedom. The instance represents gender discrimination whereby, a woman could not enjoy her freedom and make her own choice about life. Subsequently, the time when she started dating Homer after her father's death, the people believed that the two would get married. However, Homer was not her marrying man and would spend most of his time in Elks' club with young men. This portrays her slavery to love which was in vain as well as isolation from the rest of the community.

Misogyny and Insanity: The Impact of Stereotyping on Emily's Life

Further, the short story fiction represents the stereotyping which was prevalent in Jefferson and one that almost drove her to insanity. When the town's authorities visited her, she refers to them as Colonel Sartoris, who had died nearly a decade before. The isolation, loneliness, and stereotyping of women might have driven her to insanity (Faulkner 2). The only family she had was her family, and Homer whom she had fallen in love with. However, the lack of freedom to marry, as well as Homer's plans to go away, suffices to be the reason behind her sorrow and loneliness. As such, the prevalence of misogynistic perception of women had facilitated the manner in which she lived as well as interacted with the authorities.

Power and Refuge: Analyzing Emily's House in "A Rose for Emily"

On the other hand, Emily's house also can be understood to reflect power, safety, and refuge (Khrais 124). In the age when women were taxed for a particular mode of dressing-moving out without apron, Emily's house stands as her source of power. She understands that she does not face taxation if she does not move out of her house. The only person allowed into Emily's house was Tobe. The town authorities had to seek permission from the judge before visiting her house. Additionally, the town's women only enter Emily's house when she died. Therefore, her house reflected Emily's source of power, safety, and refute at her time when the discrimination against negro women prevailed.

Conclusion

Lastly, the short story represents the society's misunderstanding. The time when Emily started dating Homer, the town people believed that they would marry; however, they did not. Also, the time when the people assumed that Emily was going to commit suicide, she did not; but instead, she poisoned Homer for failing to marry her and planning to get away from town. In many instances, the people's beliefs and expectations about Emily did not come to pass (Khrais 30). Faulkner's narration provides a different perspective about Emily that the town's people did not initially understand. Therefore, the fiction story is a representation of how the society can misunderstand a person.

Works Cited

Faulkner, William. "A Rose for Emily." Repositorio De Letras, 1931, letras.cabaladada.org/letras/rose_emily.pdf. Accessed 28 Sept. 2018.

Khrais, Sura M. "An Eyesore among Eyesores": The Significance of Physical Setting in Faulkner's" A Rose for Emily." International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature, vol.6, no.6, 2017, pp.123-126.

Khrais, Sura M. "Rereading 'A Rose for Emily' from the Perspective of Wolfgang Iser's Reader Response Theory." International Journal of Comparative Literature and Translation Studies vol.5, no.3 2017, pp.28-31.