A Rose for Emily

Her får du hjælp til analyse af novellen “A Rose for Emily” (1930) af William Faulkner. Ud over at give dig overblik over væsentlige analytiske punkter, så får du også et summary af novellen samt input til temaer og perspektivering.

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Symbols

The rose is one of the most powerful symbols in the short story and is only mentioned in the title. The narrative provides no explanation for the title, but the events hint that the narrator might see the rose as a symbol of pity. Another possibility is that the rose mentioned in the title is a symbol for Homer, whom Emily keeps as a memento in her room, just like people keep roses between the pages of books. This idea is also illustrated by the rose-colored accessories in the room: “curtains of faded rose color, upon the rose-shaded lights” (p. 9, l. 10).

Emily’s house is a symbol of isolation and loneliness. After her father’s death, Emily confines herself to the house and is rarely seen in public, except for the time she spends with Homer Barron. On the same note, the room where she keeps Homer’s body symbolizes death and isolation, but also Emily’s obsession and resistance to change. The room is associated with a tomb (p. 9, l. 8) and suggests that Emily could not let go of the one she loved.