Jeremy Keeshin

“A Rose for Emily”

Character Assertion
Emily is desperate for relationships because her isolation and high society expectations
make her too stubborn to create natural connections with others.

Thinking Points
Why does Emily isolate herself from her community?
Does she isolate herself or is it forced upon her?
Why is she so stubborn about the taxes and metal numbers?
What does this reveal?
How does her status affect her character?
Why does she always seem to get her way?
Why does the town give in to her consistently?
Is she a character to be pitied? Why?
What is her purpose in the murder?
Why does she like Home Barron and what does this reveal?
What do the constant references to her age and unflattering descriptions reveal?
What is the significance of her “eyesore” of a house?

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Theme Assertion
“A Rose for Emily” demonstrates that it is important to form relationships that overcome
the barriers of age and location because the gap between the lifestyles of Emily and the
town made their lives incompatible.

Thinking Points
What is the relationship like between the community and Emily?
How do they view her and how do they view Homer?
What does Emily represent to the town?
Should they pity her? Why?
What characteristics does she have that separate her?
Why does she never give in to the town?
Is she a successful character? Why?
What is Faulkner saying about a character like Emily?
How does Emily transcend the different generations? Why is this important?