Perspectives

Literary perspective

The short story “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner is a modernist work of fiction. Modernist works often use non-traditional writing techniques. For example, the story’s structure is non-linear, with the events alternating from present to past. Then, the use of the first-person plural narrator is ambiguous, as it is hard to pinpoint who the narrative voice is. The possibility of multiple narrators that provide a combined account results in the readers getting to know Emily across the years. 

Faulkner also uses elements of gothic literature in “A Rose for Emily”. For example, the description of Emily’s house, as well as her association with death, are elements of the gothic genre. The Southern gothic genre, in particular, uses elemen...