A Rose for Emily: Analysis
William Faulkner's ‘A Rose for Emily’ stands out for its distinctive narrative voice, which adds to the story's enduring appeal. Unlike Faulkner's other well-known stories, such as ‘Barn Burning’ and ‘Dry September’, ‘A Rose for Emily’ utilizes narration not merely to present a linear narrative, but to create specific effects that warrant closer examination.
The Unconventional Narrator
The narrator of ‘A Rose for Emily’ is unique in that they employ the first-person plural pronoun ‘we’ to describe themselves. They do not represent a character within the story, nor are they an omniscient third-person narrator with a detached viewpoint. Instead, they possess a distinct presence, albeit intangible and enigmatic. This characterization aligns with the story's Southern Gothic atmosphere, featuring a reclusive figure, Miss Emily Grierson, who conceals a dark secret within the attic of her house.
The narrator remains unnamed throughout the story, inviting significant critic…