"A Rose For Emily", and the gaze of post-colonialism

“A Rose for Emily.” Mann’s Menagerie, mannsmenagerie.weebly.com/a-rose-for-emily.html. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.

    William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" story expertly combines post-colonialist themes, exploring the psychological and social ramifications of colonialism's legacy on colonizers and colonized alike. Through the character of Emily Grierson and the deteriorating Southern town setting, Faulkner tackles issues of power dynamics, cultural displacement, and the ambiguities of identity in the aftermath of colonial control, shedding light on the long-lasting impacts of colonization on individuals and communities. In “A Rose for Emily”, Emily serves as a metaphor for the conceited Southerners who were enmeshed in the American South during the Civil War. Like Emily, they are bound by their customs and restrictions and dwell in the past. This blog post will explore the different themes of post-colonialism and how the characters of “A Rose for Emily” symbolize those themes. 

    Emily represents the old nobility that possessed privilege and power during the colonial era; her family was formerly a well-known Southern family. But as time goes on and the South experiences profound social and economic transformations following the Civil War, Emily's family begins to lose its wealth and prestige, reflecting the downfall of colonial powers following the fall of their empires. The psychological effects of colonialism are also embodied in Emily's character, especially with regard to identity and agency. Her withdrawal and resistance to change are indicative of a yearning for her family's former greatness and underscore the difficulty faced by former colonial powers in adjusting to a post-colonial environment. The conflict between colonial and post-colonial identities is echoed by Emily's connection with Homer Barron, a Northerner who stands for modernity and the new order. This relationship highlights the contradictions between the old and new ways of life. "Later we said, “Poor Emily” behind the jalousies as they passed on Sunday afternoon in the glittering buggy, Miss Emily with her head high and Homer Barron with his hat cocked and a cigar in his teeth, reins and whip in a yellow glove. Then some of the ladies began to say that it was a disgrace to the town and a bad example to the young people."(Page 331) Emily’s fall from high-standings can also be a symbol of her failure to withhold her families past misgivings about the modern society. "A southern belle was a girl who was expected to grow up into a lady. She was supposed to be fragile and flirtatious while also sexually innocent. She was beautiful but risky to touch, like porcelain. Every southern belle was expected to be up-to-date on the latest fashions, which often proved tricky and expensive because fashion was constantly changing throughout the nineteenth century. A true lady embodied the ideals of the South, and was thus hospitable and graceful." (History Engine).

“Photo: Horse and Carriage with Two Women and a Man (Undated): Axel Ender Album: Honda1992.” Fotki, public.fotki.com/honda1992/european_art_-_public/e/axel-ender/horse-and-carriage.html. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.

    An important theme in "A Rose for Emily" is the fight for control and power, which reflects colonialism's aftereffects. Emily Grierson represents the old aristocracy holding onto its dwindling power because she comes from a once-powerful Southern family. Colonel Sartoris, Emily's father, is a symbol of the patriarchal power system of the colonial age; even after his death, he continues to enforce the laws and customs that govern Emily's existence. Though, because of her father’s place in society, she is often restrained from doing “normal people” things, such as marrying whom she desires or owning certain things. Her role as a high-class woman, or a “southern belle” is not what is cracked up to be. "Emily can only live in the shadow of her father forever, standing in the land blocked by her father, completely losing the right to speak as an independent person, which makes her unable to control her marriage happiness normally." (Atlantis Press) "So when she got to be thirty and was still single, we were not pleased exactly, but vindicated; even with insanity in the family she wouldn’t have turned down all of her chances if they had really materialized." (Page 329). Another post-colonial theme is the lack of independence Emily is given throughout the entire story, even after her father’s death. Because of her social standing as a fading aristocrat family, the town is very lax with Emily’s introverted Ness and lack of care for what laws are in place (aka. Her lack of paying taxes). Though, this is devastating as Emily is isolated further from normal society because of her status. "That was two years after her father’s death and a short time after her sweetheart—the one we believed would marry her—had deserted her. After her father’s death she went out very little; after her sweetheart went away, people hardly saw her at all."(Page 328).

      Who controls the story of Emily is also impacted by the gaze. The villagers create their own versions of Emily's life, frequently based on rumors and hearsay. As a result, there are misunderstandings and misinterpretations that further isolate Emily and solidify the town's preexisting views about her personality. Emily is also under the scrutiny of customs and cultural norms, especially with reference to the standing and reputation of her family. Emily feels a lot of pressure to live up to the Grierson family's legacy as the final living member. Emily's agency is limited and her decisions are shaped by the town's gaze, which has disastrous results due to its influence on traditional values and traditions. "Gaze is about power. Power works through the gaze. On one hand, the subject of gaze is actually the subject of power. The subject watches the object in order to control and tame it. When we stare at someone, we’re not just looking at them. Instead, we’re controlling them. On the other hand, the object of gaze is the object of power, and the object is always under the pressure brought by the subject’s gaze. Gaze involves a range of social factors, such as class, race, gender, ideology and culture." (Web Of Proceedings). "Miss Emily just stared at him, her head tilted back in order to look him eye for eye, until he looked away and went and got the arsenic and wrapped it up."(Page 331)

  “Discover the Intriguing Tale of William Faulkner’s ‘A Rose for Emily.’” Pinterest, 29 Nov. 2015, www.pinterest.com/pin/423056958726093330/.

    Through the characters of Emily Grierson, the Grierson family, and the townspeople of Jefferson, Faulkner delves into power dynamics, cultural shifts, and the complexities of identity in the aftermath of colonial rule, and the emergence of a post-colonial society. The story's exploration of the lingering effects of colonialism, the clash between old traditions and modernity, and the struggle for agency and autonomy (specifically feminist autonomy) is shown throughout the narrative as a message of how the power of social status can make or break someone.

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Work Cited:

“Not Even Past: Social Vulnerability and the Legacy of Redlining.” History Engine 3.0, historyengine.richmond.edu/episodes/view/2259. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.

Analysis of a Rose for Emily from Feminist Perspective, www.atlantis-press.com/article/125969883.pdf. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.

Webofproceedings, webofproceedings.org/proceedings_series/ESSP/EIEMSS%202021/ZY296.pdf. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.

Faulkner, William. “Appendix B: A Rose for Emily.” Vitalsource Bookshelf Online, online.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9780429889516/epubcfi/6/42[%3Bvnd.vst.idref%3DAppendix_1]!/4. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.