Critical Analysis of A Rose For Emily Essay

It is generally said that when reading something you shouldnt put much thought into opinions, take no account to biases, and should only properly consider the facts. But in many stories this general view on reading has to be broken to fully understand the text. A Rose for Emily is a feminist like southern gothic text written by the author William Faulkner and told from the view of one of the townspeople, but one that represented the thought of the town as a whole. The view of the narrator is an important part of the story, as his views, thought not really picked up on the first reading are important and a very reliable source to messages that arent obviously stated but should be picked up, such as the main characters insanity. The narrator shows his views quite clearly, when he remarks on events like Emily committing suicide by saying it would be the best thing which gives you the feeling that the narrator isnt exactly the best person (William Faulkner, 22). But on a repeat read you find out that these opinions had justification and meaning that would normally seem horrendous but actually made sense. The narrator is a great influence as the story progresses, but, as everything isnt completely revealed, the influence may not fully hit its mark until a second read of the story.

One of the main views that the narrator has is a plain hate for Emily. She is described as someone that you generally wouldnt associate with quotes like She looked bloated, like a body long submerged in motionless water, and of that pallid hue, Showing that she doesnt care at all about her body, and when describing her home said It was another link between the gross, teeming world and the high and mighty Griersons, showing that she didnt care at all about what her living conditions were either and that she and her family were unjustifiably arrogant (20). But then the narrator says things about the opinions of the town people and himself and your views change. Regarding Emilys fathers death the narrator says the towns people were in a way, people were glad. At last they could pity Miss Emily, which gives off the feeling that the townspeople arent the nicest of people (20) . And then youre sure about this when they say She will kill herself; and we said it would be the best thing (22). From that point most people would probably start ignoring and even thinking the opposite of the narrator. Things that would normally inspire disgust at Emily her gray head propped on a pillow yellow and moldy with age and lack of sunlight, instead inspire pity (24). You view her more as a victim of the town then a culprit to the towns degrading. You can see it as a feminist text where Emily is being prejudiced against for being alone and not having a husband. Then at the end your whole view changes when it says The man himself lay in the bed, and you understand that the main character was in no way someone worthy of pity, as she was either someone that liked the concept of necrophilia, someone crazy, or a combination of the two (25). At this point you actually find full sense in what you remember of the narrators views and understand that they werent the ones that were in the wrong. But as you ignored those views the whole time its highly unlikely youll remember them, and even more unlikely youll figure out how they fit into the story.

So as to fully comprehend this short story you should read it at least one more time. The story hides a lot of important information until the end, but knowing that information the story will be different. This time youll view a lot of it in whole new way, the proper way. For example quotes like like the hair of an active man which would leave something in your mind around the point of Emily being overworked, but on a second run could mean that she was up to more ghastly deeds (23). On the second run you see each event in a different light. Things that seemed harmless are in actuality clues that no one would ever be able to figure out unless knowing beforehand. This time you are actually in the narrators shoes. Youre in a place where youre expecting the worst and can see it coming. You can at this point fully see that it is a horror story. And even though you dont get it until the second read, its a good one.

A Rose for Emily is a short story that appears to have feminist elements but doesnt really have them. Just like how a lot of other things appear one way the first time, but completely different on a second read. This is because you never understand what type of story this is until the ending snaps everything into focus and cant take the opinions of the narrator seriously until you understand this, but the narrators views are important. Because of this, this is a story that requires multiple readings for full understanding.