Death Unit- A Rose for Emily

A Rose for Emily

By: William Faulkner

"She carried her head high enough-even when we believed that she was fallen (Page 286)." The first person plural narration illustrated in the previous line serves as a substantially important aspect of the presentation of the short story. The mysterious narrator tells the story from the viewpoint of the town's people and reflects their opinions toward Emily Grierson. Most importantly though, the narration type adds power and support to the information presented by making it a single objective view of collective opinions. 

The narrator remains separated from the story, but also posses knowledge greater than that one would expect of a general towns person. Throughout most of the story, the narrator is considered part of a plural group as they address opinions and beliefs about the Grierson family as a unit through the terms "we." The single presentation of the group opinion makes the narrator's opinions believable and trustworthy as they are reflected by many. Most importantly though, the narration adds a connection to the story by presenting it as a tale of a small town's past. When the narrator separates them-self from the town view, the reader is then able to see the true opinions of the narrator and the emotional draws experienced toward Emily Grierson. Thus, through the first person narration, the short story begins a more reliable tale with an emotional attachment.