Point of View Analysis of “a Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner

In “A Rose for Emily” Faulkner begins the story with the death of Miss Emily Grierson, giving the reader the first glimpse into the main character of the story. In “A Rose for Emily” Faulkner creates an objective, yet complex point of view through the unknown narrator with his use of setting, events and characters to create a southern mood. By using an objective point of view an author turns the reader into a jury, so that the reader is able to interpret the story, and draw conclusions when given enough information.

Faulkner introduces his characters in a drawn out manner but yet is very detailed. Throughout the story the narrator uses various terms and conditions to describe and introduce the main characters. Emily Grierson, the main character in the story, is introduced in the third paragraph as “a tradition, a duty, and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation upon the town” (Faulkner 29). Homer Barron, Miss Emily’s lover, is described as “a big, dark, ready