A Rose for Emily

The story's chronology challenged the ideas I was beginning to form about Ms. Emily Grierson. Pinpointing who the narrator may be seems next to impossible. There were hints of who the narrator is, in that this narrator entered the house after the death of Ms. Grierson with “the ladies.” I believe that Narrator was fascinated, if nothing more, by the goings-on of Ms. Grierson. The descriptive depiction of Ms. Grierson, hints to an intimate interest, as if there may have been feelings of admiration, possibly more. The order of the story allows us to feel some sadness for Ms. Grierson, as there is a void of loneliness in her life that Narrator would like us to feel. Narrator could have never filled this void, as Narrator was afraid of her. The fear and fascination are both apparent in the description of Ms. Grierson as idol-like, unsure of where her gaze was cast. Ms. Grierson’ loneliness is apparent to us prior to the story of Homer’s demise. The order in which the information is presented, the tone of the story, and the imprinted pillow, lead me to believe that Homer was murdered so that Ms. Grierson wouldn’t have to be alone.