Isolation In William Faulkner's A Rose For Emily

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Imagine a life cut off from society. Secluded from all humans except a servant. “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner is a story of a woman isolated from the world. “A Rose for Emily” recounts a set of events from a woman’s life named Emily. Emily had been isolated from the world from a young age by her father, then her father died and Emily could not cope. She refused to acknowledge his death for three days. After acknowledging her father’s death, Emily completely isolates herself inside her home, only speaking to her servant Tobe. Soon, a group of people came to work on the sidewalks in the small town; among the men was a man named Homer, who sparked an interest with Emily. Emily began to have a relationship with Homer, while the town suspected …show more content…
Emily’s father restricted her from the outside world and did not allow her to have any other men in her life. Then, Emily’s father died and she did not know how to acceptably respond. As the narrator recounts Emily’s father’s death, he or she states, “We remembered all the young men her father had driven away, and we knew that with nothing left, she would have to cling to that which had robbed her, as people will” (453). Emily’s father drove away all the men from Emily’s life, resulting in a life of isolation for Emily. After her father died, Emily did not know what to do; therefore, she clung to what she knew, which was isolating herself from society and clinging to the few people she had a connection with. Even after her father’s death, he still ruled Emily’s life. The last connection Emily has with her father is her home; therefore, she wants to keep it safe from all of society. Emily will not even let the town attach metal numbers to her house for mail. “When the town got free postal delivery, Miss Emily alone refused to let them fasten the metal numbers above her door and attach a mailbox to it. She would not listen to them” (455). Emily’s fear of her father, keeps her from even receiving mail from the outside world. Emily’s father lead her into a life of isolation, along with many other
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