A Rose for Emily

William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" contained such strong imagery of the characters, especially Emily. The way Faulkner describes Emily and the other characters in certain stages of their lives is so vivid you can easily picture the characters. The funny thing about these descriptions is that he does in it such a funny way, a way one would not normally describe someone. For example, he says, "She looked bloated, like a body long submerged in motionless water, and of that pallid hue" (Faulkner 405). Faulkner easily could have simply said she was bloated, but my adding the rest of the sentence you can actually see this woman in a tub of water. I just really love the way he words things. Another example of this is when he is describing the Negro man who takes care of Emily. He says, "...his voice had grown harsh and rusty, as if from disuse" (409). Not only does this description help you understand the actually sound of her servants voice, but it keys you in to the relationship the two had. It makes you think that this woman never talked to anyone, not even those who surround her on a daily basis. I loved the way the town's people talked about Emily. They go so back and forth. For example, at one minute they are happy she is with someone and thinks she is going to get married, but once he leaves they all say they aren't surprised. They are so obsessed with this woman they don't care whether or not she is happy or sad. I love how Emily does not care about the town's people even though they are obsessed with her. She has plenty of bad things happen to her, but she is "too furious to die" (408). I loved this quote. This made me want something good to happen to Emily. She realizes what is going on around her, but is not just going to give up and die. I was so happy at the end of the story how you see she had someone to be with inside her little home. I really don't know who "the man" is though (409).