Slowly Deteriorating Essay, Research Paper

In William Faulkner s A Rose for Emily , the narrator reflects upon the life of Miss Emily Grierson, a monument for the entire town throughout the story MissEmily s entity is dissected by onlookers as if she portrays someone alien somewhat unfamiliar. Her mysterious demeanor interest others through herunconventional manner. She carries herself unlike most and attempts to keep thisdark side concealed; however, the citizens of this quaint town democratically decideon making her business a part of their own. Unfortunately, in most cases thissituation holds true as one cannot conceal the realms of their own lives withoutsharing the spotlight with another. Miss Emily signifies an aged wine — somethingsavored and watched for years, but never touched. Her loneliness,questionable actions, and desire for affection cause irrepressible results in the end. Miss Emily Grierson exemplifies the friend that never shows fervor forcompanionship. She does not find it necessary to make it known that she isavailable. One can infer that her father supplies her with satisfaction unlike noother. His companionship proves rewarding and fulfilling as she manages toremain single and seemingly happy until the age of thirty. Her father prevails as theonly figure of the opposite sex in her life for some time; he seemed to give heraffection that at that time no one else could. Until his death, Miss Emily seemssatisfied. After his death, things seem to fall apart. The author asserts: The day after his death all the ladies prepared to call at the house and offer condolence and aid, as is our custom. Miss Emily met them at the door, dressed as usual and with no trace of grief on her face. She told them that her father was not dead. She did that for three days, with the ministers calling on her, and the doctors, trying to persuade her to let them dispose of the body. Just as they were about to resort to law and force, she broke down, and they buried her father quickly. (219) Miss Emily finds no recovery for her loneliness until she meets Homer Barron, atemporary fill-in for the void she feels. Barron acts as a replacement for her father. He signifies a stopper in the drain of her pool of sorrow. The space in her heartfails to heal permanently, but it patches itself with impermanent hope for a cure to

her loneliness. A woman taunted by the hardships of life can become bitter causing her to docertain things that under different circumstances she ordinarily would not do. Familiarity with certain things cause a person to feel settled and accustomed to aspecific way of living. In many cases where one s environment is altered, thatperson can feel out of place or awkward. One may seek refuge to take them back tothat acquainted place. For example, one frowns upon death due to its necessity forclosure and finality. When it occurs it grasps the worst sentiments from thoseaffected. The hands of time cannot be turned back; however many have tried inorder to grasp those final moments. In addition, many people refuse to accept negate remarks. This too causessevere repercussions in many who resist them. Miss Emily fails to persuade Barronto marry her; however, she succeeds in getting what she wants. The authorillustrates: A thin, acrid pall as of the tomb seemed to lie everywhere upon this room decked and furnished as for a bridal: upon the valance curtains of faded rose color, upon the rose-shaded lights, upon the dressing table, upon the delicate array of crystal and the man s toilet things backed with tarnished silver, silver so tarnished that the monogram was obscured. Among them lay a collar and tie, as if they had just been removed, which, lifted, left upon the surface a pale crescent in the dust. Upon a chair hung the suit, carefully folded; beneath it the two mute shoes and the discarded socks. The man himself lay in the bed. (223) Affection stands as one emotion that no one seems to be able to live without. Itdeems a necessity for most that adds strong feelings to any matter. Without it, onefeels empty and incomplete. A lack of sentiment or sensation can cause someone togo crazy, as did Miss Emily. Desire for something so real, yet intangible, can createhavoc among others in innumerable amounts. This craving carries justifiableavoidances, but it still deserves some attention in curing it. Miss Emily Grierson does not look for love in the right places. She allows theemotions of her entire life to take her over, eating away at her inner self. The townitself watches her every move and tallies it down in memory. Understandably, MissEmily finally fades away just as the recollections of past events. One should notallow the troubles of today to tear away at one s self.