A Rose for Emily - Essay Example

Literary analysis: "A Rose for Emily" Plot analysis The novel is based in an old setting. The characterization in the novel is based on the civil war era in which the society was more compact and involved with each other. The author creates a plot based on the after life of the civil war in regards to life and social relations. The plot revolves around the characterization of Emily. Emily is used as the plot device in novel as the author uses her character to create their argument and theories. The relationship between Emily and the plot is significant as each and every aspect of the novel revolves around her character. The plot describes her character since the death f her father. Emily is described as a society monument. Her significance in this particular society was generated from her father’s participation in the civil war. However, Emily portrayed negative behavior as her father died. She stayed from the society for along time staying confined in her house. She later interacted with the society and fell in lover with a mason, Holmer. Her wish to be married to him was dashed as she went back to her confinement behavior. At one time in the novel, she bought a bottle of poison which she was believed to poison herself with. However, this took long that expected. Her confinement from the society enabled her to be secretive till her death. After her death, the society also realized that she was also involved in the death of Holmer after his body was found in her apartment (Ruthmann 33). The reviewing the use of figurative use in the novel, the character of Emily is rampantly represented. Her versatile characterization enabled the author to represent her in more that one figurative speech. The figurative perception was also based on the perception towards her. One significant figurative representation of Emily was her reference to as a society monument after her death. The men in the society appreciated her significance in the society. Being regarded as monument figuratively shows the high regard she was perceived by (Morton 44). Emily was born of a civil war veteran and this created a patriotic in the creation of her character and personality. Emily was attached to her father being his only child. From this attachment, Emily became a strong woman. Her personality was compared to that of men and men in the novel valued her character. In this regard, her personality was a unique feature among women in the society. Using a figurative explanation of her character, the author referred to her as a man. Holmer pointed out that he would not be married to a man (Morton 23). Referring her to a man was based on her strong personality and character. In an argument by Ruthmann the referring to Emily as a man by Holmer is a symbolic way in which portrays the strong character of Emily (56). Additionally, in regards to Emily’s character women in the novel setting were afraid of confronting her as they used to consult the police or authorities to intervene in case an issue arises. This symbolically portrays the strength and significant perception of Emily. Additionally, Emily’s family was a symbolic representation of the strong personality she possessed. The significance of this figurative display of Emily’s character played a crucial role in the in the novel. The plot of the novel required a strong feminine figure that would represent the preferred feminine character by the author. In terms of forecasting the events in the novel, Emily’s figurative representation of her character was significant. For instance, when she purchased a drug the community was certain she had a negative idea in her mind in regards to the drug. The mood in the novel also revolves around the character representation of Emily. The turnout at Emily’s burial ceremony was a figurative representation of her significance in this particular society. The burial ceremony experienced a huge turnout as men and women from all social classes attended her burial. Emily was a controversial figure in the society but she was perceived with a high regard. Regardless of the mistakes she had committed, she still was an important person in the community (Morton 74). In displaying the significance of Emily in the novel created a figurative representation by displaying the number of people in attendance at her burial. Additionally, her burial was an important ceremony in the community as people referred to her death as the demise of a society monument. The importance of this representation in the plot of the novel is based on the fact that the author needed to create a significant feminine e figure in their plot. This was also important in the description of the mood of the novel. The mood of the novel is based on the deeds carried out by Emily which were full of suspense. This mood enabled her to be a significant and talking point character in the plot. However, the suspense was negatively created as people did not trust her judgment when she was exposed to extreme conditions (Gehmlich 77). The title of the book, “A Rose for Emily” was also a figurative representation of the character played by Emily. Emily is portrayed as a needy character in the novel. She seeks attention and love from any person who would be willing to offer. A rose for Emily displayed the needy character and how people should consider providing her with help and attention. Her father was her only companion. After the death of her father she became lonely and she needed company. She fell in love with Holmer who publicly denied his attraction to her. However, she did not accept the decision and she forced herself to her. This also shows that she needed attention. After this rejection, she decided to call her cousins to reside with her. This enabled her to cope with the situation as she needed company. The title by the author that she needed a rose symbolizes her need for attention and company (Gehmlich 66). Works cited Gehmlich, Kerstin. The Aspect of Time in William Faulkner’s Short Story A ROSE FOR EMILY. New York: GRIN Verlag. 2007. Print. Morton, Clay. "'A Rose for Emily': Oral Plot, Typographic Story", Storytelling: A Critical Journal of Popular Narrative 5 (2005), 1. Ruthmann. Davina. The Chronology in William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily". New York: GRIN Verlag. 2007. Print. Read More