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"A Rose for Emily"
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In William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” Faulkner uses subtle but notable clues in the story to prepare the reader for the ending. One of the more major underlying themes that Faulkner uses to prepare the reader is the contrast between the north and the south and the progress of time which is to include the incompatibility between Homer the “Yankee” and Emily the southern bell stuck in the past. Though not as much a major theme as important clues is Emily’s reluctance to give up her father’s corpse, the purchase of rat poison, Homer suddenly disappearing, the light in the upstairs room not turning on for years and Emily’s sudden reclusive behavior for over ten years. Another question that Faulkner did an excellent job of is leaving the reader to wonder what happened to the body while decaying upstairs. Could it be that she kept it up there because she could not let go and it was the only way her and Homer could be together? Lastly, what is the explanation for the strands of silver gray hair left on the pillow beside the body? In “A Rose for Emily” Faulkner gives an excellent portrayal of the stark contrasts between the north and south at the turn of the century with the old civil war generation beginning to die off and the newer more blended generation taking control. Besides the insight into this period of time, Faulkner uses it to develop his gruesome ending with the love affair between Emily and Homer. Emily is the embodiment of the post civil-war mentality that persisted with many southerners accustomed to high society lifestyles. Homer was the newer generation day laborer from the north referred to in the book as a “Yankee.” From the time they meet in the story it is apparent that it is an ill-fated relationship.
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