Despite the title of William Faulkner's Southern gothic
short story, "A Rose for Emily," Emily never receives a rose, but it is this fact that
nonetheless directly relates to the title. The red rose, symbolic of love throughout
most of the world, was something for which Emily Grierson desperately desired but never
received. Emily's father seemed to be distant and domineering, yet he may have given her
what little love she ever received. Emily had few friends and few suitors. When Homer
Barron appeared in town, it appeared that this outsider might provide her with the love
that she so wanted. But Homer deserted her, leaving her to spend the rest of her life as
the lonely spinster she had already become. There are flowers present at her funeral,
but no roses are mentioned: The only suggestion of a rose is found in the upstairs
bedroom where Homer's body was found. The room was
... decked and furnished as for a bridal: upon
the valance curtains of faded rose color. Upon the rose-shaded
lights...
It was the color of
the flower that Emily so yearned but never received.
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