Abstract

Narrating with various techniques, such as skills of stream of consciousness and flashback, William Faulkner not only created the atmosphere of suspense, but also molded the poor and lamentable image of Emily. The suddenly exposure of the body of Homer Barron with a long strand of iron-gray hair shock us at a first reading. Then the bizarre and confusing chronological order continuously catches our reading attention. After scrutiny, we gradually understand that Faulkner intentionally disturbed the helpless life of Emily for the sake of hiding her image.

This paper lifts the veils placed by Faulkner with kindness, and scrutinizes the fiction over right time order, in order to explore the image of Emily and townspeople and their conversion in different periods. Meanwhile we will analyze the connection between their conversions. 

Keyword: A Rose for Emily； image； the conversion of character；narrator

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

0 Introduction-4

1. The Death of Mr. Grierson-10

  1.1 Emily: A New Start-11

  1.2 Townspeople: Two Classes-12

2. The Intrusion of Homer Barron-12

  2.1 Emily: From Heaven to Hell-14

  2.2 Townspeople: Paradoxical but Understandable-14

3. The Intrusion of Townspeople - the Smell Event-15

  3.1 Emily: Self-Isolation-16

  3.2 Townspeople: First Real Pity-16

4. The China-Painting Class-17

  4.1 Emily: Indifferent but Insistent-18

  4.2 Townspeople: Unabiding Kindness-19

5. The Tax visit-19

  5.1 Emily: Hold Up Last Grace-20

  5.2 Townspeople: Powerful but Impotent-21

6. The Death of Emily Grierson-21

  6.1 Townspeople: The Identity of Narrator-21

  6.2 Emily: Influential over the Town-22

7 Conclusion-22