Symbolism in “A Rose for Emily” In the short story, “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner, symbolism is used very frequently through out the story. There are several different symbolic subjects in this story such as the house, Miss Emily as a “monument,” Homer and the “Yankee” views, and Miss Emily’s old Negro servant who represents death in the story. In many different ways, symbolism has a very deep and underlying insight to the story of “A Rose for Emily”.Miss Emily is compared to her house in many different ways. Descriptions of the decaying house symbolize Miss Emily’s physical and emotional decay, and as well as her mental problems. The representation between herself and her house is shown through constant neglect and unappreciation. In one point that Faulkner makes, the house is described to be stubborn and unrelenting, as Miss Emily is also portrayed on many occasions. Examples of her stubbornness is not letting the “new guard” attach metal numbers above her door when the town began to receive free mail service, when she refuses to believe that her father is dead, and refuses to pay her taxes. Just as the house seems to reject progress and updating, so does Miss Emily, until both of them become decaying symbols of their dying generation. Miss Emily also represents the “Old South”. Her southern heritage and points of view are represented through her actions. Her stubbornness and unrelenting attitude are very strong characteristics of the Southern heritage. She refused to believe that the times were changing and refused to change into the new society. The Southern heritage is also represented through Miss Emily’s strict and repetitive ways. The story basically addresses the changes in the South after the Civil War. Miss Emily is considered a “monument” of Southern manners and an ideal of past values. The Old South g...
