The Significance of Symbolism in "A Rose for Emily"

In “A Rose for Emily”, William Faulkner effectively uses symbolism to illustrate the fading glory of the Old South giving away to the progress of Reconstruction and the new century. It also plays a role in understanding the whole meaning of the story and why Emily is a tragic figure as opposed to an evil person. Faulkner’s ability to incorporate symbolism meaningfully into his stories is a testament to his fine Southern Gothic writing. …

…the fast moving, freewheeling twentieth century. When Emily poisons him she is holding progress at bay, at least for herself. “A Rose for Emily” represents the decline of the Old South and the uprise of the new. With the death of Emily, so came death to the old ways of living. William Faulkner has not written a story about a demented woman but uses symbolism to explain one society’s unwillingness to change. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**