Tuesday, October 8, 2019
William Faulkner's use of Theme in A Rose for Emily Essay
William Faulkner's use of Theme in A Rose for Emily - Essay Example Perhaps this is most prominently witnessed in his short story ââ¬ËA Rose for Emilyââ¬â¢. This story explores the macabre and desolate life of a woman named Emily as she experiences a number of life setbacks before finally settling into a reclusive existence. While containing southern gothic tendencies, the story is characteristic of Faulknerââ¬â¢s style in terms of theme. This essay argues that Faulkner implements a number of thematic elements in Faulknerââ¬â¢s ââ¬ËA Rose for Emilyââ¬â¢. Perhaps the most pervasive theme in ââ¬ËA Rose for Emilyââ¬â¢ is the power and exploration of death. This is perhaps one of the most important elements in articulating the story as an element of southern gothic literature, and it gives the tale a sort of surreal touch. Faulkner begins the narrative in reverse, already stating that Emily Grierson, the main focus of the story is deceased. Faulkner writes, ââ¬Å"When Emily Grierson died, our whole town went to the funeralâ⬠(Faulkner, web). While this is only a narrative element, itââ¬â¢s position as the first sentence of the story is notable as it sets the general thematic tone for the tale. In addition to Emilyââ¬â¢s death the story also indicates that Emilyââ¬â¢s father died. Faulkner advances the thematic power of death in this instance by demonstrating that it extremely impacted Emilyââ¬â¢s existence.
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