A Rose for Emily
Plot Diagram
a_rose_for_emily_plot_leonab.docx | |
File Size: | 76 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Characters in A Rose for Emily
Emily Grierson: Protagonist
Colonel Sartoris: Flat
Tobe: Flat
Homer Barron: Antagonist
The Druggist: Stock
Colonel Sartoris: Flat
Tobe: Flat
Homer Barron: Antagonist
The Druggist: Stock
Central Conflict
Emily vs. Herself. Emily has to deal with her emotional and psychological self when her isolation causes an abnormal love. This abnormal love causes her to attempt to keep the men she loves, even after their death.
Theme
Isolation can be damaging.
Emily was isolated because of her controlling father. Because of this, her father’s love was all she knew. When he died, her intrigue into death peaked. She attempted to keep his body; however, was not able to. Then, when her love was unrequited with Homer Barron, she killed him so they could always be together. This time she was successful in keeping his body.
Emily was isolated because of her controlling father. Because of this, her father’s love was all she knew. When he died, her intrigue into death peaked. She attempted to keep his body; however, was not able to. Then, when her love was unrequited with Homer Barron, she killed him so they could always be together. This time she was successful in keeping his body.
Literary Devices
Symbolism - Emily's house represents mental illness, death, and alienation. It has become a living shrine of her past, her father, and of herself. While the town around her as upgraded to the more modern ideas, she has no allowed anyone to change anything about her home which is entirely outdated. She preserves the upstairs bedroom as a place she keeps her "love", it is forbidden to be entered and is very mysterious much like Emily. When she passes away, it gives the town's people a chance to get a little information about her, as a person.
Foreshadowing - Miss Emily goes to the "druggist" and demands that he gives her the best poison he has. When he explains to her that it is a law that she has to tell him why, she just stares at him and he walks off and in return another man brings it back. She asked for arsenic and that is exactly what she gets. The narrator never tell's us why she needs it or what she uses it for.
Flashback - The beginning of the story begins with Emily's death. Afterwards, the narrator flashes back to Emily's life describing her father's death, her isolation, her relationship with Homer Barron, Emily buying poison, and her behavior after Homer Barron's disappearance. Then, the story ends in the beginning with Emily's death.
Foreshadowing - Miss Emily goes to the "druggist" and demands that he gives her the best poison he has. When he explains to her that it is a law that she has to tell him why, she just stares at him and he walks off and in return another man brings it back. She asked for arsenic and that is exactly what she gets. The narrator never tell's us why she needs it or what she uses it for.
Flashback - The beginning of the story begins with Emily's death. Afterwards, the narrator flashes back to Emily's life describing her father's death, her isolation, her relationship with Homer Barron, Emily buying poison, and her behavior after Homer Barron's disappearance. Then, the story ends in the beginning with Emily's death.