characterization
Characterization In William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily,” Faulkner uses the character Emily Ryerson to show contrast between the past and present, specifically of her life, in the town of Jefferson, somewhere in the southern United States. Faulkner begins the story with the funeral of Emily. She is referred to as a “fallen monument” (pg.74). That means that Emily represents what was left of the Ryerson name. A long time and upstanding citizens in Jefferson. Emily is from an earlier era and surrounds herself with reminders of the past. A crayon portrait of her father was given to her and was hung over her coffin upon her death. The image of Emily trying to stop the process of new generations is shown in the description of her house; it is a traditional style mansion, despite being surrounded by newer buildings.