"A Rose for Emily" is a short story by William Faulkner that tells the story of a woman named Emily Grierson and the changes that take place in her life and the community in which she lives. Throughout the story, there are several quotes that capture important themes and ideas.
One of the most important quotes in the story is when the narrator says, "Miss Emily had been a tradition, a duty, and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation upon the town" (Faulkner, "A Rose for Emily"). This quote captures the idea that Emily was seen as a relic of the past, a symbol of a bygone era that the town felt obligated to protect and preserve. This quote also highlights the way in which Emily was viewed by the town as a burden, something that had to be taken care of and tended to, but not necessarily loved or respected.
Another important quote comes when the narrator describes Emily's father, saying, "Mr. Grierson was a strict man, a good man, but not easy to live with" (Faulkner, "A Rose for Emily"). This quote reveals something about Emily's relationship with her father, who was a controlling and demanding figure in her life. It also foreshadows the way in which Emily's later relationships with men will be marked by a similar dynamic, with Emily struggling to assert her independence and autonomy.
A third important quote comes at the end of the story, when the townspeople discover the truth about Emily's relationship with Homer Barron and the shocking secret that she has been keeping in her house. The narrator says, "We did not say she was crazy then. We believed she had to do that. 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" (Faulkner, "A Rose for Emily"). This quote speaks to the way in which the townspeople understand and empathize with Emily's actions, even as they are horrified by them. It also captures the idea that Emily's choices and actions were driven by a sense of desperation and a need to hold onto something that had given her some sense of meaning and purpose in her life.
Overall, the quotes from "A Rose for Emily" help to illuminate the themes of tradition, duty, and the struggles of the individual against the expectations and demands of society. They also capture the ways in which Emily's life and relationships were marked by conflict and struggle, as she struggled to find her own place in the world and to assert her own autonomy and independence.
