William Faulkner

Authors traditionally use symbolism as a way to represent the sometime intangible qualities of the characters, places, and events in their works. In the short story, "A Rose for Emily," William Faulkner uses symbolism to compare the Grierson house with Emily Grierson's physical deterioration, her reluctance to accept change and her shift in social reputation.

In a chronological manner, the Grierson house is used to symbolize Emily Grierson's physical characteristics. When the house was in the best condition, it is described as "white, decorated with cupolas and spires and scrolled balconies in the heavily lightsome style of the seventies" (29). This description suggests that the house is built not only for its function, but also to impress and engage the attention of the other townspeople. Similarly, the wealthy women of the time were dressed in a conspicuous manner. This, for the most part, is because their appearance was perceived as a direct reflection on their husbands and their fathers. This display of extravagance was egotistically designed by men to give an impression of wealth to onlookers. Her father regarded Emily, as property. Her significance to him was strongly ornamental, just as their overly lavish home was. As the plot progresses, the reader is clearly made aware of the physical decline of both the house and Emily Grierson. Just as the house is described as "smelling of dust and disuse," evidence of Emily's own aging is given when her voice in similarly said to be "harsh, and rusty, as if from disuse" (30). She is described as a "fallen monument". Both, she and the house are empty, and lifeless. Just as their physical characteristics, Faulkner uses the Grierson house as a symbol for Miss Emily's change in social status.

The members of the Grierson family, especially Emily, were considered to be strong and powerful. However, as soon as the townspeople heard that she was left no money, only the house, which her father left her; they didn't have the same respect for her. In addition, her scandalous appearances with Homer Barron lessened her reputation in the public eye. One of the most significant comparison occurs when the Grierson house is used to symbolize Emily Grierson's unwillingness to accept change. Emily Grierson held tightly to her family's affluent past. A good example of this occurred when representatives were sent to her home to collect her delinquent taxes. She completely rejected her responsibility to the town by referring the men to a time when the since departed mayor, Colonel Sartoris, remitted her taxes. Miss Emily and the house show further examples of their disregard for progress when Emily denies the Grierson house a number, and a mailbox, just as Emily herself refused to be labeled or to be associated with anything as modernistic and common as a mailbox. These comparisons provide indisputable evidence that Emily Grierson and her family's house are strongly related with one another. So, it should now be obvious to the analytical reader that the relationship between the Grierson house's and Miss Emily Grierson's, physical deterioration, shift in social standing, and reluctance to accept change, is too precise to be construed coincidental. It is precisely this open usage of symbolism, and expert utilization of foreshadowing that earned both William Faulkner and "A Rose for Emily" their places among the classics.

Faulkner possesses a significant ability to weave a web of intrigue and compassion by utilizing techniques inherent to setting, particularly with regard to emphasizing the necessity of conflict. "Barn Burning" is written from the observations of Colonel Sartoris Snopes, a poor white Southern ten-year-old boy, and takes place during the post-Civil War times. The boy is struggling with the concepts of loyalty, especially to his family. His father, Abner Snopes, was an ex-Confederate solider from the Civil War era. While he fought for the Confederates, he had no loyalty to either side of the war or to any man other than himself. Abner fought for his own monetary gain. It seems that with the freedom of slaves, Abner finds himself to be equal to blacks and having to do the same type of lower work which he resents. This resentment of his situation seems to manifest itself in the form of arson. When people upset him he burn's down their barn, even if the cause of the problem is a result of his own actions. Abner and his family have to move constantly because of his actions. Sartoris, the young boy, doesn't agree with his father's actions and although he has never acted upon his feelings, he chooses to do so when he finds out that his father is going to burn down their current landlord's barn. Sartoris decides to warn the landlord in hopes of preventing his father's actions. Although he knows that doing this is a betrayal of family loyalty and that he won't be able to return home, he realizes that truth and justice should be the way of life. He feels as though he must live up to these values. In the end, Sartoris walks opposite his home into the woods, not knowing how he will make it, but that he must do it on his own.

Although the boy learns the values of life, there isn't much symbolism throughout the narrative account. When Abner Snopes is upset or troubled by a person he burns down their barn. This may symbolize that he wants to destroy them and that he has power because fire symbolizes intensity, power and destructiveness.

Overall, Faulkner uses much more symbolism in "A Rose for Emily" than he does in "Barn Burning". The portrayal of symbolism between Emily Grierson and her house is much more significant than the symbolism of fire in the short story, "Barn Barning". Faulkner is very creative in his manner of writing and implies the symbolism used in his works to his reader. Both of these short stories are considered to be famous short stories of William Faulkner.