A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner is a unique piece of literature. It has a plotwhich seems somewhat bland, and it is not particularly exciting. However, the ending isquite suprising, and for me it made the story worth reading. I think there are someinteresting aspects of this story if you look at it from a feminist point of view. Thefeminist movement has attempted to elevate the status of the woman to a level equal withmen. Feminists have fought for the right of women to be free from the old socialrestraints which have been in place for so long. A feminist believes a woman should bestrong and independent. In some ways the main character, Emily, is this kind of woman,but for the most part she is portrayed as weak and fragile. Throughout the story, Emily is depicted as a weak and dependent woman becauseof the way that she is treated by the town. When her father died and she had no man tocare for her, the town absolved her tax duties. The people of the town attempted toaccomodate her needs by offering their help and sympathy. The townspeople also tried tobe considerate of her eccentricities. They extended her courtesies because she was a ladywith no one save her servant. This caretaking of Emily by the town shows the opinion ofwomen during that time period. Without a man, Emily was considered somewhat helpless. Everyone felt as if they needed to help her. Another way that Emily represents females as dependent and childlike is herreluctance to admit her fathers death. When he dies, she refuses to let anyone remove hisbody from their house. Its as if she feels she needs his comforting and protection. Without a man, she is lost. In the end of the story this situation comes up again. The manwho Emily had a relationship with is found dead and decayed in an upstairs bedroom afterher death. There is evidence that she would lay in the bed with the men after his death. This is another way that Emily is portrayed as needy and...
