Summary

The short story “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner begins with the death of Emily Grierson, the last of an aristocratic family who lived in the town of Jefferson after the US Civil War. Emily dies at the age of 74, and the curious townspeople attend her funeral. For them, Emily is a mystery, as she has not allowed any of them inside her house for the last ten years. 

The narrative then explains that Emily is exempt from paying taxes in Jefferson since the death of her father. The following generations of mayors, however, summon Emily to pay her taxes, but she claims that she has no taxes to pay and refuses to answer their letters. 

Emily’s father dies when she is about 30 years old. All of Emily’s suitors were dismissed by her father, so ...