‘A Rose for Emily,’ by William Faulkner, is a classic example of Southern Gothic literature. This tale is set in the imaginary town of Jefferson, Mississippi and narrates the story of Emily Grierson, a wealthy spinster who resides in a crumbling old mansion with her father. When Emily’s father dies, she refuses to let anyone into the mansion and ends up being progressively isolated from the community. This story primarily explores the power of femininity and oppression in many ways. By analyzing the characters and themes in this story, one can see that the story reflects on the struggles of women in 19th century America, offering insights into the power differences among men and women in society and how these differences can result in detrimental impacts on women.
Thesis statement: Through a feminist lens, “A Rose for Emily” exposes the oppressive nature of the societal norms and prospects forced upon Emily Grierson, ultimately highlighting the detrimental outcomes of her resistance to confronting gender roles.
Faulkner highlights the suffocating impacts of societal expectations on women through Emily’s character. The community impose their judgement and scrutiny upon her, forcing her into a set protagonist that struggles to escape. The town’s perception of her as a “fallen monument” and their firmness in maintaining traditional gender roles contribute to her isolation and seclusion. Her ultimate struggle with societal guidelines serves as a cautionary tale, showing the detrimental impacts of resisting and deviating from the expected roles given to women. One aspect that supports feminists’ approach is the pervasive gendered power dynamics. From the very start of this tale, it is evident that Emily is subjected to his father’s authority, who is showcased as a domineering figure.” Miss Emily, who is slim and dressed in white, stands in the back, her father’s profile with his feet spread out in front of her, his back to Emily, a whip in his hand, and a back door just embedded their figures” (Faulkner 3). The depiction is a powerful symbol of “patriarchy” and Emily’s role as a respected family matriarch. Emily has no choice but to spend the rest of her life under her father’s shadow, unable to exercise her right to free speech and hence unable to exercise normal control over her marital bliss. From this, Emily’s identity and agency become intertwined with her father’s will and is even denied the opportunity to create her own sense of self. Her father’s actions shape her life, showcasing the restrictive nature of patriarchal control and suppression of female independence. As the story progresses, it becomes more apparent that Emily’s resistance to patriarchal constraints results in her descent into mental illness and, ultimately, her tragic demise. Emily’s refusal to conform to societal expectations, specifically regarding romantic relationships, marks her as an outsider and results in her being shunned by the townspeople. Her inability to challenge and escape oppressive societal norms ultimately drives her to commit violence. Faulkner’s depiction of Emily’s fate serves as a critique of the patriarchal society that limits and disciplines women who dare challenge existing norms.
The article “Gender and Authorial Limitation in Faulkner’s” A Rose for Emily” by Renee R. Curry argues that “A Rose for Emily” is a tale regarding the power of patriarchy and the means it can destroy women. Curry offers a feminist reading of the story challenging the conventional view of Emily as a victim of patriarchal oppression. “Emily’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of patriarchal oppression…Her story suggests that women who challenge the status quo must be prepared to pay a high price” (Curry 399). He argues that Faulkner’s use of the phrase “we” formulates a sense of complicity among the reader and townspeople who see Emily as a “fallen monument” and a “problem woman.” This complicity prevents the reader from fully comprehending Emily’s motivations and perspectives. In addition, Curry argues that Faulkner’s incorporation of the gothic genre reinforces the conventional view of Emily as a victim and mostly showcases women as weak and helpless. In “A Rose for Emily,” the Gothic elements, such as the decaying mansion, the smell of decay, and the hidden body, contribute to the image of Emily as a victim. “The story’s narrator, who is also a member of the community, is both fascinated and repelled by Emily. He sees her as a relic of the past, a woman who is out of touch with the modern world.However, he also recognizes her strength and determination. Ultimately, the narrator is unable to fully understand Emily and her story remains a mystery” (Curry 392). Instead, for Curry, the gothic elements can be incorporated as an approach for Emily to assert her power and control over her own life. For instance, the decaying mansion can be seen as a symbol of Emily’s refusal to follow to traditional expectations of her community.
Similar evidence can be seen in ShuanJun, An and SiYuan Li’s analysis, “Analysis of A Rose for Emily froma Feminist Perspective.” They argue that “A Rose for Emily” is a powerful analysis of diverse ways patriarchal can silence and oppress women (An 2). They point out that Emily is a woman that has been denied the opportunity to have a normal life. She is forced to live in isolation and dependence and is denied the right to marry and have a family, and eventually, she becomes increasingly hinged. It is a tale that reminds society that women’s voices must be heard, and their stories need to be heard. The authors point out that Emily’s story is one that has been silenced for a long. It is a tale regarding the dark side of patriarchy and a story that many would rather not hear about.
Carolyn Heilbrun, in her book “Reinventing Womanhood,” stipulates that “A Rose for Emily” is a tale regarding the influence of patriarchy and the customs in which it can destroy women. “Emily’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of living in a society that defines women’s worth in terms of their relationships to men” (Heilbrun 102). She points out that Emily is a woman who has been denied a chance to have a normal life. Emily is forced to live in isolation and dependence by being denied the right to marry and have a family. She is rather a woman who is defined by her relationship to her father and her relationship to Homer Barron. When these relationships end, Emily is eventually left with nothing. “She has no identity, no purpose, and no hope ” (Heilbrun 103).
Through a feminist lens, “A Rose for Emily” becomes a powerful critique of patriarchal limitations and the consequences they have on women. By assessing gender power dynamics, the confinement within societal norms and the outcomes of resisting patriarchal constraints, Faulkner’s story shows the plight of women in patriarchal society. Emily Grierson’s tragic expedition serves as a cautionary story, revealing the destructive impacts of subduing women and denying their rights. Emily struggles to survive this patriarchal society, and how her struggle ultimately leads her to rebel against the male-dominated society. Emily’s transgression of these unstated norms labels her as an outsider, earning her the scorn and isolation of her community. From this time period until the current day, women have fought for equality and empowerment. The whole potential of a woman will not be seen until patriarchal ideals are eradicated.
Works Cited
An, ShuanJun, and SiYuan Li. “Analysis of A Rose for Emily from Feminist Perspective.” 2021 International Conference on Education, Language and Art (ICELA 2021). Atlantis Press, 2022.
Curry, Renee R. “Gender and Authorial Limitation in Faulkner’s” A Rose for Emily”.” The Mississippi Quarterly 47.3 (1994): 391-402.
Faulkner, William, John Carradine, and Anjelica Huston. A rose for Emily. Paderborn, De: Verlag F. Schöningh, 1958.
Heilbrun, Carolyn G. Reinventing womanhood. WW Norton & Company, 1979.
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