Symbolism in A Rose for Emily Essay - 1240 Words

Symbolism in literature is using an object to portray a different, deeper meaning in a story. Symbols represent ideas or qualities that the author has maneuvered into his or her story that has meaning. There can be multiple symbols in a story or just one. It is up to the reader to interpret the meaning of the symbols and their significance to the story. While reading a story, symbols may not become clear until the very end, once the climax is over, and the falling action is covered. In William Faulkner’s, â€Å"A Rose for Emily,† there are multiple examples of symbolism that occur throughout the story. Symbolism that â€Å"A Rose for Emily† displays is Miss Emily’s taxes that represent death. First is the death of her father. The taxes are a†¦show more content†¦The lime that is sprinkled around Miss Emily’s house is another symbol in the story. Lime is a white powder that is used to cover the smell of decomposing bodies. The townspeople go to Miss Emily’s house to sprinkle lime in her yard when there is complaint about the awful smell emanating from her house. The smell of Homer’s rotting corpse eventually stops permeating into the streets, but it is thought that the smell may have become normal to the town. The lime symbolizes a weary attempt to hide information. It is a cover up that symbolizes how the town hides the secrets in that generation (Shmoop 5). Arsenic is a symbol of hiding something that smells, just like lime. When arsenic is used to kill a rat, it creates a stench. The arsenic that Miss Emily uses on Homer Barron’s body creates a smell that the townspeople want to get rid of with lime. On Miss Emily’s package, the cashier writes â€Å"For rats.† â€Å"Faulkner himself claims that Homer was probably not a nice guy. If Homer is planning to break a promise to marry Emily†¦ she probably considers him a rat† (Shmoop 5). This information leads us to believe tha t Faulkner approves of the poisoning of Homer Barron (Shmoop 5). In the story, there is no mention of an actual rose, yet the story title is â€Å"A Rose for Emily.† Another symbol is the rose. In the article, â€Å"Symbolism,† the author states he or she believes that the title reflects what Faulkner thinksShow MoreRelatedA Rose for Emily: Symbolism1460 Words   |  6 PagesLancaster English 132 S.Higgins July,06 2009 In William Faulkners A Rose for Emily, the symbolism shows more about the character than is detailed by the author. Authors generally use symbolism as a way to represent the intangible qualities of the characters, places, and events in their work. Symbolism helps to indicate several things in a story. In A Rose for Emily Faulkner uses symbolism to define and characterize Emily Grierson. There are many symbols in this story each one has a special meaningRead MoreSymbolism in a Rose for Emily1508 Words   |  7 PagesOctober 2015 Word Count: 1,305 Small Signs Symbolism in literature is using an object to portray a different, deeper meaning in a story. Symbols represent ideas or qualities that the author has maneuvered into his or her story that has meaning. There can be multiple symbols in a story or just one. It is up to the reader to interpret the meaning of the symbols and their significance to the story. In â€Å"A Rose for Emily†, William Faulkner effectively uses symbolism to illustrate the fading glory of the OldRead MoreSymbolism In Rose For Emily892 Words   |  4 Pagesto describe that in the story â€Å"Rose for Emily† through the main character, Miss Emily Grierson who suffered from necrophilia. This story is enriched with full of symbolism, along with a deep-rooted issues and messages. Symbolism helps to gives readers to think about text and hidden themes that go along with the symbols. This gives reading a more rich and vivid experience. There are symbols lurking in every corner of this short story. William Fa ulkners use of symbolism captures audiences consciousRead MoreSymbolism In A Rose For Emily734 Words   |  3 Pagesstory â€Å"A Rose for Emily, Emily was raised with an extremely fiercely over protective Father. A Father that turns away any potential man, as he believes no one is good enough for his precious daughter Emily. Emily would continue to live with her Father until his death. The events that occur in this story are shrouded in symbolism and mystery. Though Emily will find a man this story has yet a bizarre, perplexing, creepy, and very unhappy ending. Emily’s house, symbolic similar to Emily, is theRead MoreSymbolism In A Rose For Emily1276 Words   |  6 PagesSymbolism is the use of an object or a word to represent an abstract idea. Its often used by writers to represent a hidden message or a hint in a story. The short Stories A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner and Everyday Use by Alice Walker are great examples of the use of symbolism. In A Rose for Emily Faulkner uses symbolism to create a Story about a woman called Emily whose life is surrounded by mysteries, especially after the death of her father and the disappearance of her beloved HomerRead MoreA Rose For Emily Symbolism Analysis1376 Words   |  6 PagesThe Symbolism of the Setting in Faulkner’s and Hemingway’s Stories The place where the story is set plays the most significant role in the majority of fiction pieces, since it is the setting that outlines the plot development and influences the heroes’ decisions and general characteristics. In Faulkner’s â€Å"A Rose for Emily† and Hemingway’s â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants,† the setting is raised to the symbolic level. When the outside portrayal does not correspond to what is happening inside the characterRead MoreSymbolism In A Rose For Emily By William Faulkner879 Words   |  4 PagesTill Death Do Us Part In â€Å"A Rose for Emily† William Faulkner writes a gothic toned short story about spending life holding onto the past and lost love, and the toll life can take on ones self. The main character Emily Grierson is a woman who lives in the house of her deceased father in the south during the late 1800’s/ early 1900’s, and spends her life secluded while trying to hold onto love and refuses change. The main character holds onto the things in her life including love and inexperienceRead MoreEssay about Symbolism in A Rose For Emily1010 Words   |  5 PagesThe main symbolism running throughout A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner, is the theme of how important it is to let go of the past. Miss Emily clings to the past and does not want to be independent. The Old South is becoming the new South and she cannot move forward. The residents of the South did not all give in to change just because they lost the Civil War. In A Rose for Emily time marches on leaving Miss Em ily behind as she stubbornly refuses to progress into a new era. In the story, symbolismRead MoreSymbolism Of A Rose For Emily By William Faulkner Essay1070 Words   |  5 Pages Symbolism meaning: Analysis of the symbolism of â€Å"The for Emily† by William Faulkner In the story of â€Å"A Rose for Emily† by William Faulkner, Emily Grierson is the protagonist who also represents the Jefferson communities’ past and present by following her life backward and her house and the people in a community to represent the changes throughout time. William Faulkner’s â€Å"A Rose for Emily† shows the progress of the small southern town Jefferson through the life of one woman, and the symbols ofRead MoreSymbolism in A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner Essay555 Words   |  3 PagesSymbolism in A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner William Faulkner used a great deal of symbolism in this story. His use of symbolism captivated the reader until the shocking end of the story. Some of the symbolism was blatant while some was vague and disguised. While Faulkner’s use of the color white in this story wasn’t obvious at first it soon becomes clear that the color white represents innocence and youth. The Grierson house was white and when Miss Emily was a young girl she wore