The Rose for Emily

Summarize

1. Using the clues at the end of the story – the man’s body in the bed; the “iron – gray hair” on the pillow beside it – reconstruct what happened between Homer Barron and Emily Grierson. What do you think motivated Miss Emily’s actions?

Once Miss Emily got the sense that things were not going to work out as shew hoped. She poisoned Mr. Barron so not to be abandoned in life again.

Analyze Craft

2. List the numbered sections of this story in rough chronological order. Why do you think Faulkner chose to reveal details in the order in which he did?

III, IV, II, I, and V. For background information in order to give meaning to the dialog or the context of the message.

3. There is an overall mystery in this story. How does it affect the plot? What overall effect does it create for you as you read?

What really happened to Mr. Barron, is the mystery. Did he die of something nature? If so was the poison that Miss Emily bought for then? Did see poison him so as not to have another caller walk away? Interest and the feeling of disappointment that I will not know what happened.

Analyze Voice

4. From what point of view is the story told? How would the story change if it was told by an objective narrator? How would it change if it were told by the butler Tobe?

It is told by non-opinionated third party. If told by an objective narrator it would lean to a one sided theory of what happened back up with gossip. If narrated by Tobe it would probably be the closes thing to the truth of the matter.  

5. Do you think the narrator of the story is reliable? Why or why not?

Yes. Even though there are some opinionated comments they are informed opinions and not speculation.

“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.”  ~ Harlan Ellison

Synthesize Summary and Analysis

6. Faulkner is known as a southern writer. In what ways is this story tied to the south? Could it take place else where? Imaging adapting the plot to a different time and place. What elements would to change in order to make these alterations work?

Relatives in Alabama. The use of the word niggers and Yankee. Description of the plantation. Confederate soldiers at the funeral. A plot is a plot. Plot changes are not hard to change but you just need to imagination to do so. TV shows do it all the time. I have seen a plot line on gun smoke and a week later seen the same plot on Miami Vice. Change depends on the demographic setting and time frame.

7. Describe the relationship between Miss Emily and Homer Barron. Were they in love? Were they officially married? How do you know? Why do think Miss Emily poisoned Homer?

It was a relationship of convenience. I do not believe them in love or do I think that they were married and I do not know. I stated earlier that I believed Miss Emily to have poisoned Homer because I see the worst in people. Before I see anything worth liking, I see all that I dislike first. I do not know why but I do. I do however recognize that it is not the only possible scenario