Symbolism in A Rose for Emily

William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” is a story that addresses the symbolic changes in the South after the civil war. Miss Emily's house symbolizes neglect and poverty of the new times in the town of Jefferson. The rampant symbolism and Faulkner's descriptions of the decaying house, coincide with Miss Emily's physical and emotional decay, and also emphasize her mental degeneration, and further illustrate the outcome of Faulkner's story. Miss Emily's decaying house, not …

…reject progress and updating, so does Miss Emily, until both of them become decaying symbols of their dying generation. Though descriptions of the house resemble descriptions of Miss Emily Grierson, "A Rose for Emily" emphasizes that beauty and elegance can become distorted through neglect and lack of love and affection. As the house deteriorates for forty years until it becomes ugly and unappealing, Miss Emily's physical appearance and emotional well-being decay in the same way.