A rose seems an odd choice for the title of \"A Rose for Emily\" given the nature of the narrative. Why did William Faulkner make this particular selection? “A Rose for Emily” is a short story about the disturbed life of a local woman living in the post-Civil War South. This article will discuss the symbol of the Rose, and possible reasons why William Faulkner named this story “A Rose for Emily”.

The Rose as a Symbol of Love

Roses, in literature and the general daily experience, usually represent love. Roses are given as tokens of affection, as a sign of devotion to the individual to whom they are given. When viewed in this light, the rose seems an odd choice for the title of this story: Emily’s story is disturbing, the tale of a woman obsessed with her own heritage who never understood the true meaning of love. This makes the title ironic, which seems to be Faulkner’s entire point. By using the classic symbol of love to introduce the narrative, he is leading the reader to a consideration of what the components of true love are. Love is not the distorted narcissism that is Emily’s perception; it is a selfless act of giving that builds relationships, not destroys them like in the story.

The Rose as a Tribute

Another way to look at the rose in the title “A Rose for Emily” is as a token, a

tribute. The narrator tells her story, the kind of person Emily was and the personal actions that led to her demise. Again, Faulkner’s irony is apparent. Tributes are usually something positive, a way for onlookers and observers to understand a person or event as it relates to their own lives. The story of Emily is anything but positive; it is disgusting, repulsive. So why a tribute? Perhaps it is to serve as a reminder of the ugliness of self-absorption, of the consequences of a life lived without love. The rose is given as a tribute to a hideous person that the reader might be reminded of the importance of self-giving and true devotion.

The Rose as a Symbol of Memory

Roses are also often used as memories, as a way to preserve a moment in time or to keep a person close to one’s heart. They are dried and kept, not only because they are beautiful, but usually because it is a way to retain a precious time in one’s life. So why would Faulkner use such a symbol of beauty and memory to present the horrific narrative of “A Rose for Emily”? Firstly, the story is written in the form of a memory, the narrator speaking in the first person about events that to him and the community were very real. Secondly, however terrible the tale may be, it serves as a reminder to the reader that some integral things in a person’s life should never be forgotten: love, devotion, and selflessness. By presenting a woman who possessed none of these attributes, Faulkner calls on his readers to remember the things that make life beautiful, especially love. Hence the rose can be seen as a call to memory.

Conclusions Drawn

As a symbol of love, as a tribute, or as a representative of memory, the rose in the title “A Rose for Emily” presents a variety of interpretations. Faulkner is not an author that can be definitively defined by one theory. His writings are able to be analyzed on multiple levels, because this calls the reader to consider all aspects of the information provided and draw one’s own conclusion. His choice of the rose is testimony to this, as there is no one way to interpret its use. The reader must decide Faulkner’s intention.