A Rose For Emily and Other Short Stories

Arose for Emily

when asked at a seminar at the University of Virginia about the meaning of the title "A Rose for Emily", Faulkner replied, " oh, it's simply the poor woman had no life at all. Her father kept her more or less locked up and then she had a lover who was about to quit her, she had to murder him. it was just 'A Rose for Emily'- that's all." In another interview, asked the same question, he replied, " I pitied her and this was a salute, just as if you were to make gesture, a salute, to anyone; to a woman you would hand a rose, as you would lift a cup of sake to a man." what do you make of Faulkner's responses? what else might the title suggest?

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I would not contradict any of Faulkner's interpretation. A Rose for Emily is his creation. I am inclined to think that both of his explanations work together. They need not be at odds or independent from each other. I think Faulkner was trying to add to his understanding of Emily.