Why is that story by William Faulkner called "A Rose for Emily"?

Question

if u read it and understand it please, please answer why is the story called a rose for emily

Answer 1

The rose is a symbol of love exchanged at weddings. I think Faulkner's use of the rose in the title refers to the strange marriage between Emily and Homer. It's like calling it "Emily's marriage" but in a more poetic way.

Also, the rose is native to the Southern United States. The rose is often used as a symbol of the South. This story shows the resistance of the insane Emily in the judgmental Southern society. In this sense, calling it A Rose for Emily is like saying "This is what the South did to Emily."

Another thought: roses are placed on a casket at a funeral. A Rose for Emily is a story about death. The ultimate purpose of it is to describe Emily's life, like at a funeral. After the story is through, the narrator(s) would be able to thus place a rose on Emily's casket.

All ideas probably apply, but Faulkner wrote with a level of depth that I don't think any of us will ever fully understand.

Answer 2

The flood was a sad fact, not just a story. God is also infinitely just. But he made a covenant with the world that He would nor destroy it by flood again - by the rainbow. Just about every culture has a great flood 'story'.

Answer 3

good explanation from Ryan, above.


Check this link:

http://www.enotes.com/rose-emily/7071