The story begins with the death of the main character – Miss Emily Grierson.It is said how the whole town was curious to see the inside of her house. Miss Emily had not left it in 10 years. From the description of the big frame house, the story goes into the life of Miss Emily and how she got to where she is. The reasons for her isolation are explained. It was with her father’s death that everything started. He was very protecting and controlling of his daughter and it took her a couple of days to admit to the death of her father. She was already over thirty and still not married. The talk of the town had it that it was her dad who drew all the young man away.
Nevertheless, Emily did find someone to fall in love with. When roads started to be built in their neighborhood, she fell in love with a worker. They would drive around across town in a car care free. Many did not approve of this display of affection. It was said to be bad taste for the young generation. Soon rumors started of a possible wedding and some far-off relatives were even invited. The young man disappeared until the departure of the cousins just to reappear quickly before his final disappearance. That was when Miss Emily locked herself in.
It was only her African American servant who got to see the inside of her house in the recent years. In the past though, Miss Emily would give lessons in china-painting, but those did not last long as the children grew up. She did not pay taxes and opposed to the installation of a mailbox once post was introduced. Miss Emily was by far not the most favorite neighbor, but almost everyone showed up for her funeral. It was several days later that the house was opened. On the second floor, in a closed room with curtains of faded rose color a man was found. The room had been as though prepared for a wedding. The corps had been there for many years and next to him on the bed, they strands of grey hair.
References
William Faulkner “A Rose for Emily”
