William Faulkner's use of Theme in A Rose for Emily Essay

William Faulkners use of Theme in A Rose for Emily - Essay ExamplePerhaps this is most prominently witnessed in his on the spur of the moment story A Rose for Emily. This story explores the macabre and desolate life of a woman named Emily as she experiences a fig of life setbacks before at last settling into a reclusive existence. While containing southern gothic tendencies, the story is characteristic of Faulkners style in terms of theme. This essay argues that Faulkner implements a number of thematic elements in Faulkners A Rose for Emily. Perhaps the most pervasive theme in A Rose for Emily is the power and exploration of death. This is perchance one of the most important elements in articulating the story as an element of southern gothic literature, and it gives the tale a sort of surreal touch. Faulkner begins the narrative in reverse, already stating that Emily Grierson, the main focus of the story is deceased. Faulkner writes, When Emily Grierson died, our whole town went to the funeral (Faulkner, web). While this is only a narrative element, its position as the first designate of the story is notable as it sets the general thematic tone for the tale. In addition to Emilys death the story also indicates that Emilys father died. Faulkner advances the thematic power of death in this instance by demonstrating that it extremely impacted Emilys existence.