Point of View in A Rose For Emily Essay

Poor Emily Grierson

I am going to write about the point of view in Faulkners story A Rose For Emily. I understand that we briefly discussed this in class but I feel that I have some more that I can add to it.

A Rose For Emily was told in the view of the community and to be more specific the gossip of the community. They see her as a mystery, she is a like fast food, people wonder how its made, but not really, they just want to eat the food. The community pities her but really doesnt want to help her. Its almost like they talk about and keep an eye on her so that other people dont find the skeleton in their closets. I like how the story is told, it helps us see how judgmental people can be in thinking they are helping someone else. Having the gossip tell the story brings more mystery into this short tale. I think that if they would have told it in any other point of view it wouldnt have made as much of an impact on our society or southern society. I believe that Faulkner wrote this for the southern community. I am going to take some guesses at to how the story would have been if it had been written in any other point of view.

If a Rose For Emily had been written in the eyes of Tobe, the black servant it would have been a much different story. Tobe would most likely reported of his dedication to his job. He would have told us the story of how he was able to work for Miss Emily. He reports of how hard it was to live with her and not to be able to tell anyone of the murder of Homer Barron. He debated over and over in his head if he should tell someone or report it. He would have ended up just telling himself that once this crazy women was dead, that he will just open the door and walk into the sun and be free. It still would have an impact but mostly to the black community and not the target audience, Faulkner wanted.

If Faulkner would have told this in the view of Emily it would be about a brain washed, weak women that grew old and alone. Her thinking would have been that she was a priceless doll, when her father was around. Once that had faded after the age of 35 or 40 she would have told us how depressed she was with nobody in her life except that old domineering father who still needs her attention. Of course once the father had died she would have told us how she just wants something more in her life. She is just sick of the community trying to change everything including her. Then one day she meets Homer and falls in 40 year old love, which is more just like settling. I could see her being happy again, going around on carriage rides and actually for once, being apart of the community. Then the news of Homers sexual preference breaks her heart. She then turns back to her old sheltered ways. She makes the decision she feels is the only one, to kill Homer Barron. She is now never alone and has someone to take care of.

I feel that this story was chosen by Faulkner to have a very specific point of view. I could see Faulkner thinking of the different possibilities that telling the same story can have and coming to the final conclusion. Community gossip was best point of view that sends a message to the audience he wanted.