In A Rose for Emily, William Faulkners symbolic use of the rose is essential to the storys theme of Miss Emilys self-isolation. The rose is often a symbol of love, and portrays an everlasting beauty. The rose has been used for centuries to illustrate an everlasting type of love and faithfulness. Even when a rose dies, it is still held in high regard. Miss Emilys rose exists only within the storys title. Faulkner leaves the reader to interpret the roses symbolic meaning. Miss Emily was denied the possibility of falling in love in her youth, so subsequently she isolated herself from the world and denied the existence of change. Miss Emily was denied her rose, first by her father, then by the townspeople, and then Homer Barron. Through the explicit characterization of the title character, Miss Emily, and the use of the rose as a symbol, the reader is able to decipher that Homer Barron was Miss Emilys only rose. Miss Emilys father denied her the ability to establish a normal relationship because of their familys social position. She lost the will and the desire to do so, even after he died. The reader is aware that Miss Emilys chances of having a normal relationship are hindered by her fathers obstinace. Miss Emilys father was a prominent well-respected southern gentleman, and he would not allow his only daughter to be courted by just anyone. None of the young men were quite good enough for Miss Emily and such. We had long thought of them as a tableau. As most little girls do, Miss Emily idolized her father, and held him in high regard, even though he was a strong and forbidding man, who did not allow her to experience life. Miss Emilys father robbed her of her ability to court during her youth, and therefore hindered her ability to grow emotionally. She refused to accept that her father was anything but the southern gentleman that he was. Miss Emilys first rose could have been her father, but he wasnt. We remembered all the...
