The Symbolism and Characterization in "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner In the short story "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner, the macabre ending is foreshadowed by the story's opening with Miss Emily Grierson's death and funeral. The bizarre outcome is further emphasized throughout by the symbolism of the decaying house, which parallels Miss Emily's physical deterioration and demonstrates her ultimate mental disintegration. Her life, like the house which decays around her, suffers …showed first 75 words of 948 total…

…showed last 75 words of 948 total…decaying anachronisms. Through descriptions of the house that resemble descriptions and characteristics of Miss Emily Grierson, "A Rose for Emily" emphasizes the way that beauty and elegance can become grotesquely distorted through neglect, pride and lack of love. In this story, the house deteriorates for forty years until it becomes ugly; Miss Emily's physical and emotional condition dissipate in a similar manner. Bibliography  Work Cited Faulkner, William. "A Rose for Emily." Literature and Writing Process,