Theme of Isolation in William Faulkners A Rose for Emily...

The Theme of Isolation in A Rose for Emily As an author establishes the characters he simultaneously attempts to develop the theme of the story. An author uses various elements such as point of view, the setting, and symbols to work toward the expression of one central idea. In looking at A Rose for Emily. a short story by William Faulkner, it is evident that Faulkner successfully carries one main idea throughout the piece, the idea of being isolated from society. One of the most effective elements that Faulkner uses in his development of this main idea is the use of imagery. He portrays the father of Emily as a looming possessive figure, a figure of total control and dominance(Gwin 31). Emily has no say about what goes on†¦show more content†¦This reality sends panic and fear through her because now she has nowhere to turn and no one to tell her what to do, no one to command her life. Not only is she stricken with the loss of her father but now she is cut off to the outside world, because her only link has passed on. Emily immediately goes into a state of denial; to her, her father could not be dead, he was all that she had and she would not let him go. The day after his death all the ladies prepared to call at the house and offer their condolence and aid... Miss Emily met them at the door, dressed as usual and with no trace of grief on her face. She told them that her father was not dead. She did that for three days... Just as they were about to resort to law and force, she broke down, and they buried her father quickly (Faulkner page #). Without her father, she had no one to put any order in her life and wasnt going to let anyone else try. We remembered all the young men her father had driven away, and knew with nothing left, she would have to cling to that which robbed her, as people will (Faulkner page #). Another symbol Faulkner unobtrusively introduces is the crayon portrait of Emilys father looking down at her during the funeral. Throughout her whole life and even now in death her father had been and always would be there, watching, judging and influencing her life, knowing she had been daddys little girl to the end. Taking some perverse pleasure inShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of A Rose For Emily Essay1643 Words   |  7 PagesBeing An Outcast: Emily As Manifesting Thematic Alienation in Faulkner’s â€Å"A Rose for Emily† I. Introduction Being taught in high schools and universities all across the nation, William Faulkner’s short story â€Å"A Rose for Emily† has achieved a great deal of both academic and mainstream respect in the United States. 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