Character Analysis and pick one of those .William Faulkner, A Rose for Essay

Character Analysis and pick one of those .William Faulkner, A Rose for Emily, and Andre Dubus, Killings - Essay Example Emily has killed Homer because society killed her independence and happiness first due to social class and gender norms. In the beginning, the story presents Emily with both admiration and criticism because of her class status. Emily belongs to a family of an upper-class family that is respected in the community. When she died, the narrator states that she has gone to where her social class went to, along with â€Å"representatives of those august names† (Faulkner par.2). She is a Grierson, one of the most respected names in town. The tone of the story mixes respect and ridicule, however. The narrator describes the house as he would the Griersons: â€Å"...only Miss Emilys house was left, lifting its stubborn and coquettish decay above the cotton wagons and the gasoline pumps—an eyesore among eyesores† (Faulkner par.2). The tone challenges the Griersons for remaining superior when they have lost their wealth and influence already. As the story progresses, Emily opens up to the community a little, which the people respect because they feel sympathy for her after her domineering father died and because she is a old, single woman. The narrator judges the Griersons as too proud of themselves. He uses the words â€Å"high and mighty Griersons† in contrast to the â€Å"gross, teeming world† because of the smell coming from Emily’s house (Faulkner par. 16). It shows how social class affects the social circle of Emily. At the same time, gender is also an issue for Emily. Her father controlled her life when he was alive. The narrator suggests this when he says: â€Å"None of the young men were quite good enough for Miss Emily and such† (Faulkner par. 25). Gender values that expect her to respect her father’s decision have turned her into an old maiden. Still, she opens up a little when she had China-painting lessons and became romantically involved with Homer. Emily shows her indepen dence after her father