This essay will attempt to examine the character of Miss Emily, and the author William Faulkner. Faulkner uses language that creates the view of Emily as an institution. As early as in the first paragraph it states that Miss Emily was described as a "fallen monument." To some people, that would mean she fell off her rocker. Miss Emily kept her distance from the whole town. No one had ever seen inside her house until the day she passed away.
The fact that Emily was tax exempted is an example of the authority she possesses over the townsfolk even though she was distant from them. The towns people believed that she was a crazy woman due to the fact that she never socialized with anyone in the community, including her servant.
Miss Emily surrounds herself with reminders of the past. For example: after the death of her father, his photograph is given prominence to her house, and even rests above her coffin.
English: William Faulkner's signature
William Faulkner's Underwood Universal Portable si...
William Faulkner, 1954When Faulkner describes Emily as an old woman, he mentions a gold watch she wears around her neck. The watch hung so low on the chain it is obscured by her belt. Although the watch is unseen its constant ticking is heard. "They could hear the invisible watch ticking at the end of the gold chain." The watch symbolizes the passing of time as generations pass and go by. Emily seems to be a bitter lonely women because she doesn't have anyone, no friends or family, etc.
Faulkner divided the story into five sections, which signifies the different events taking place in the story. It was written in a fashion making it easy for anyone reading it, the ability to close their eyes and almost see and smell everything that was taking place. The part that bothered...