Robert Thomas

Mr. Pagel
ENGL 1010
June 18, 2011

Faulkner's Unusual Narrative

In his short story A Rose for Emily, William Faulkner utilizes a creative third person narrative
which propagates two separate and very different protagonists; both of whom are in conflict with a
common themed antagonist.
On the first reading of the story, it is apparent the title character, Miss Emily Grierson is the main
protagonist. The plot relates the main events of her life as told by an anonymous narrator who seems to
be a resident of Miss Emilys unnamed town. Beginning with her death, and then recounting past
events, the narrator entices us to feel sympathy for Miss Emily despite the portrayal of her as eccentric,
rude and anti-social. Faulkner accomplishes this by identifying several possible antagonist for Miss
Emily as the narrator describes the conflicts she had with her dominant Father, her controlling Aunt,
and even the town populace.
However, after subsequent readings and a closer examination of the narrative, a second protagonist
emerges: the townspeople. This conclusion can be reached based on the identity of the narrator, who at
one point refers to themselves as we in plural. At another point in the story when Miss Emily
purchases Arsenic poison from the drug store, the narrator comments When she opened the package at
home there was written .. which indicates a more omniscient point of view. I believe that Faulkner
intended the Town; as a separate entity, to be considered as the narrator. Throughout the story, the
narrator often promotes a theme of forgiveness, understanding, and even pity for Miss Emily, which
also evokes a sense of kinship with the townspeople from the reader. The Town entwines the life of
Miss Emily into that of its people, as if the telling of Emilys story is a symbolic statement and

explanation of the trials and troubles they have endured.

The next question is what then is the true antagonist for both of the story's protagonist, and what
common conflict do they share. The narrative perspective once again gives us a clue. After relating the
sad history of Miss Emily's past suitors, the narrator states So when she got to be thirty and was still
single, we were not pleased exactly, but vindicated... which refers to the town's view of the Grierson
family and their reputation. The towns people were not against Miss Emily, in fact they felt sorry for
her. It was her family name and the history of arrogance, opulence, and entitlement which they resented
and wanted to see brought down and humbled; unfortunately Emily was the only one left from which
they could extract this demise of the Grierson name.
Of course the same conflict existed for Emily, who struggled with her family's high opinion of
themselves her whole life. It dominated her and controlled most of her life defined by her Father, her
Aunt and even her cousins. Determining her interactions with the town and restricting her social life; it
was both her birthright and her burden. In the end, it was these unrealistic expectations from her family
which prompted Miss Emily to murder her true love because he was not seen as up to her family
standards.

Robert Thomas 06/17/2011