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Symbolism In A Rose For Emily

Decent Essays

“But he who dares not grasp the thorn, should never crave the rose.”
-Anonymous
In the vast world of literature, symbolism is a technique used by many authors to compose intricate pieces of text. Every word hides within it a realm of possibilities for a reader's imagination to run wild with, if the reader dares. In the same manner, William Faulkner, the author of “A Rose for Emily”, uses the word “rose” as a way to present his thoughts on his own stories characters. In a sense, this shows Faulkner's capability and style as an author; to be able to elevate the meaning of a story with simple connotation. Often times, a rose is a reference to the ideas of love and romance. In the story, “A Rose for Emily”, Emily is a woman confused with the notion of love. In the beginning of her life, her father sheltered her under the pretense of keeping her protected when in reality he was depriving her of opportunities to explore the world. “We remembered all the young men her father had driven away, and we knew that with nothing left, she would have to cling to that which had robbed her, as people will,” is a line which shows the protected life that Emily lived. The roses symbolize the absence and craving for love that Miss.Grierson felt in her life. Emily’s father teaches her that the only way to love is through forced obligation. This supports the ideology that nature and nurture both play a very significant role in developing an individual's personality. In Emily’s case she loved

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