“A Rose for Emily” is an essay written by William Faulkner in 1931. The story takes place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; therefore, during this period in history, there were certain social customs that women were expected to follow, such as marriage. Women had to obey the laws and rules created by men. Similarity, this story reflects the relationships between the main character, Emily Grierson, a lady from a wealthy, respected and proud family, with her father and with the society of her community. Emily's domineering father, the gossip of the townspeople and Homer – her suitor's rejection drives her crazy. “A Rose for Emily” is primarily about Emily Grierson and her life; the story is told by a stranger in the town. He/she speaks for the entire town using "we" and seems to know Miss Emily very well. Miss Emily is a mysterious woman who transforms from a vibrant, hopeful young girl to a somewhat secretive, crazy old woman. She feels lonely and depressed after her father's death and becomes an object of pity for the townspeople. Later in life, she ends up poisoning her potential suitor, Homer, locking his corpse in an upstairs bedroom, and sleeping next to it for 40 years. Emily has lived a lonely life because of her father who tries to keep her by his side and is overprotective. “Heavily influenced by her despotic father, Emily is eccentric and stubborn; isolated by her father, Emily cannot properly manage her relationships with others” (Fang 20). Therefore, when her father dies, she must face not only the loss of her loved one, but also the loss of his protection. Emily clings to her father after his death; she doesn't want to let the townspeople bury him. Emily shows that she can't face the reality of being a... middle of paper ... hood. She never has her own life and never controls her destiny. She simply lives in the world according to the norms and standards formed by tradition and society” (Fang, 21). Miss Emily is someone who never had the chance to really do anything in her life. Either her father or the community controls her her whole life, which explains Miss Emily's mental illness. Works Cited Fang, Du. "Who Makes a Fair Lady a Devil? --An Analysis of the Social Causes of Emily's Tragedy in A Rose for Emily." Canadian Social Sciences 3.4 (2007): 18-24. Academic research completed. EBSCO. Internet. March 1, 2014. Faulkner, William. “A rose for Emily.” The Norton Introduction to Literature. Portable 10th ed. Ed. Alison Booth and Kelly J. Mays. New York: Norton, 2011. 308-315. Print. Mclntyre, Lisa J. The Practical Skeptic: Fundamental Concepts in Sociology. New York: McGraw-Hill. Print.