The symbolic significance of the rose in A rose for Emily

张雪薇

Absrtract：William Faulkner， the recipient of the Noble Prize for Literature in 1950， was a renowned writer of the Southern Renaissance in American literature. Many of his long novels provided an overview of the American South in 20th century， using his mythical Yoknapatawpha county to paint a picture of the situation in the region. A rose for Emily was his first short story， published in 1930. It successfully depicts the spiritual crisis experienced in the South following the Civil War through Emilys tragedy. “The rose” expresses Faulkners grief and sorrow for the descend Emily. Accordingly， this paper will analyze the symbolic significance of the rose.

Key words：A rose for Emily；William Faulkner；The symbolic significance

I. A red rose with a thorn - Emilys love tragedy

“A rose” can be translated as “Eros”. Emilys persistent search for love did not win her Eros but an irregular and unrequited love. When the townspeople stepped into her bridal chamber， they found “upon the valance curtains of faded rose color， upon the rose-shaded lights”. Every woman has a wedding dream， she treads on the rose petals and accepts Mr. Rights hands. Unfortunately， poor Emily had not accepted a rose from any man before turning thirty. Thereafter， her fathers death set her free and she fell in love with Homer. To maintain this precious love， regardless of Homers indifference and others prejudices， she sacrificed her dignity to marry Homer. The traditional image of the Southern lady plays a significant role in Emilys decision. Women should keep a relationship through marriage not the affair. Her strong conviction is evident through “H.B”on the toilet seat and complete mens outfit. Finally， her love drove her crazy.

Emily is the victim of the old Souths expectation for traditional women – purity. Women were regarded as merely a tool for production. Her virginity is highly so that their descendants blood can remain pure. From birth， girls were taught to deny sexual feelings and aspire to spiritual stimulation rather than physical fulfillment. Moreover， in a male-dominated society， Emily has no opportunity to revolt.

In addition， if we relate “rose” to the “smell” which protrudes from Emilys house， Shakespeares frequently quoted line is worth considering：

"What in a name？"

"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet"

（Romeo and Juliet）

Meanwhile， in Greek mythology， the first rose was born with Venuss lover – Adonis blood. As such， all of these associations signify that Emilys love is doomed to end in tragedy.