Symbolism and Theme in A Rose for Emily by William FaulknerIn William Faulkner's short story "A Rose for Emily", a series of interconnected events collectively represent a unique theme in the story. Symbolism is the integral factor involved in understanding the theme. The overarching theme of "A Rose for Emily's" is the search for love and security, a basic human need that can be met unfavorably in equivocal environments. Faulkner's use of symbolism deeply develops the story's theme, highlighting the moral issues that arise from a young woman's struggle to find love. Faulkner provides the reader with the necessary symbolic elements, dotted throughout the action of the story. to assimilate and assemble. Interestingly, it is a broken timeline that Faulkner follows, which allows him to achieve maximum effect at the end of the story. Placing the conclusion or denouement at the beginning of the story allows the reader's curiosity to become strongly interested in the character of Emily Grierson. As the narration begins with Emily's funeral, the juxtaposition of the image received in the first paragraph is sharply compared to that of the information found in the third paragraph. While in the first, the city came to pay homage to a fallen monument, in the third, we learn that it was in reality "... a duty and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation for the city.. ." (276). The story progresses through flashbacks, and Emily is heard speaking to the gentlemen representing the board of aldermen, and is noticed to be wearing a thin gold watch chain. It was only when a lull occurred after the spokesperson announced the purpose of their visit, that they were then "... able to hear the inv...... middle of paper . ..... quest for love and security, and Emily provided that for herself Whether she knew the process by which she obtained it was moral or not remains a mystery whose answer died with it. She sought refuge from the cold and inhospitable environment of the only life she had ever known. The strategic placement of symbolism in the action of this story provides vast areas of insight. from which the theme emerges from the beginning, placing the conclusion at the forefront and placing the falling action at the end of the story. This creates a greater sense of surprise or shock, and can even evoke a feeling of. genuine pity for Emily on the part of the reader. Work cited Faulkner, William “A Rose for Emily”. 4th ed. Sylvan Barnett, et al., 1996.