Symbolism and Theme in A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner In William Faulkner's short story "A Rose for Emily," a series of interconnected events collectively represent a single theme in the history. 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 dubious environments. Faulkner's use of symbolism deeply develops the theme of the story, bringing to light the moral questions that arise from a young woman's struggle to find love. Faulkner provides the reader with the necessary pieces of symbolism, punctuated through the action of the story. assimilate and assemble. Curiously, it is a broken timeline that Faulkner follows, which allows him to achieve maximum effect at the end of the story. The positioning of the conclusion or epilogue at the beginning of the story allows the reader's curiosity to become strongly passionate about the character of Emily Grierson. Since the narrative begins with Emily's funeral, the juxtaposition of the image received in the opening paragraph is starkly compared to that of the information found in the third paragraph. Where in the first the city came to pay homage to a fallen monument, in the third we learn that it was actually "...a duty and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation for the city..." (276). The story proceeds through flashbacks, and Emily is heard speaking to the gentlemen representing the Board of Aldermen, and is noted to be wearing a thin gold watch chain. It is only when a lull occurs after the speaker announces the purpose of their visit, that they then “… could hear the invitation… in the middle of the paper… request for love and security.” , and Emily did it herself. Whether she knew the process by which she obtained it was moral or not remains a mystery whose answer died with her. He sought refuge from the cold and inhospitable environment of abandonment from the only life he has ever known. The strategic placement of symbolism in the action of this story provides vast areas of in-depth knowledge from which the theme emerges. The reader becomes invested in the character from the beginning, placing the conclusion at the forefront. and place the action of the fall at the end of the story. This creates a greater sense of surprise or shock and may even evoke a sense of real pity for Emily from the reader. Work cited Faulkner, William. Literature for composition. 4th ed. Sylvan Barnett, et al, 1996.