William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" is a story about the life of Emily Grierson, a woman who lives a reclusive life in the small town of Jefferson. The story follows Emily's life from her birth to her death, and the way she is described throughout the story is a reflection of the way she is perceived by the people around her. In this article, we will take a closer look at how Emily is described in the story, and what this tells us about her character.
The Perception of Emily
Emily is a character who is perceived by the people around her in different ways. Some see her as a tragic figure who has been dealt a difficult hand in life, while others see her as a strange and reclusive woman who is to be avoided. The narrator of the story describes Emily as "a tradition, a duty, and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation upon the town" (Faulkner, 1930). This description suggests that Emily is seen as someone who is important to the town, but also someone who is a burden.
Despite the way she is perceived by the people around her, Emily remains a mysterious figure throughout the story. The narrator describes her as being "a slender figure in white" (Faulkner, 1930), which suggests that she is frail and vulnerable. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that there is more to Emily than meets the eye.
The Tragic Figure
One way in which Emily is described in the story is as a tragic figure. From the very beginning, we learn that Emily's life has been filled with tragedy. Her father is described as a "spraddled silhouette in the foreground" (Faulkner, 1930), which suggests that he is a dominating figure in her life. When he dies, Emily is left alone and isolated, which sets the stage for the rest of her life.
Throughout the story, we see the tragic events that shape Emily's life. Her relationship with Homer Barron, for example, is doomed from the start. Despite the fact that she seems to be in love with him, she is unable to accept the fact that he is not interested in marriage. When he disappears, we are left to wonder what has happened to him, and whether Emily is responsible for his disappearance.
The Reclusive Woman
Another way in which Emily is described in the story is as a reclusive woman. From the very beginning, we learn that she is someone who keeps to herself and avoids contact with the people around her. The narrator describes her as being "a tradition, a duty, and a care" (Faulkner, 1930), which suggests that she is seen as a burden by the people around her.
Throughout the story, we see Emily becoming more and more isolated from the people around her. She refuses to pay taxes, she refuses to allow visitors into her home, and she even goes so far as to poison Homer Barron in order to keep him with her. This isolation is a reflection of the way Emily sees herself, and the way she wants to be seen by the people around her.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily is a complex and multi-dimensional character who is described in a variety of ways in "A Rose for Emily". She is seen as a tragic figure who has been dealt a difficult hand in life, as well as a reclusive woman who is to be avoided. Despite the way she is perceived by the people around her, Emily remains a mysterious figure throughout the story, and her true character is never fully revealed. In the end, Emily's life is a reflection of the society in which she lives, and the way in which she is perceived by the people around her.
Komentar
Posting Komentar