William Faulkner - Page 2© Audrey McCrone
Page 2
Aug 8, 2001
A story I enjoyed by William Faulkner is "A Rose For Emily." Emily Grierson represents old southern tradition: the duty and care. Her house is the decay of the Victorian Era. Miss Grierson, herself, has a sick dignity in the name of corruption. Time has passed her by, but she stays unvanquished and even courageous! It's just outrageous.
Incidentally, Homer Barren is a Yankee road-paver, literally building the way to northern thought, despite his deliciously fated name. Emily falls for him and won't lose him, even to death! He winds up stuck in her bed, stinking to alarm the neighbors, for all time. He is her rose, and not by choice. Some might say Emily was crazy, but I feel that's a rash decision. She, in my opinion, knew exactly what she was doing, and put on the crazy act to dupe her townspeople into compliance, whenever they might disagree with her. Of course, they would excuse her behavior as crazy, because it's easier to dismiss than actual understanding. Emily Grierson was truly calculated and stubborn.
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