In William Faulkners short story, A Rose for Emily, obsession plays a key role
in the developing personality of the protagonist, Emily Grierson. Because Emily was
never allowed to be independent and self-sufficient growing up, she goes to great lengths
to preserve companionship and deter her loneliness later on in life. Faulkner illustrates
Emilys desire for company by focusing on her obsessive and psychotic tendencies.
At the death of her father, Emily is thrown into a state of denial. She refuses to
release his body to be buried because, in her own mind, she believes that he is actually not
deceased. The day after her fathers death, the ladies of the neighborhood come to the
Grierson home to console Emily. She, however, [meets] them at the door, dressed as
usual and with no trace of grief on her face (29). Emilys father has always been there
for her, even when she does not want him to be. Therefore, she can not accept the fact
that he is now gone and she is alone.
After recovering from her fathers death, Emily still does not let go of him
completely. Even after his passing, she keeps a crayon portrait of him to watch over her
through the years. This portrait is referred to during significant events in the story. It is
present when the Board of Aldermen come to see Emily concerning her unpaid taxes. The
portrait is also present when Homer Barron first enters the Grierson home.
Another example of Emilys unhealthy obsession is observed in her relationship
with Homer Barron. Since he is the only boyfriend Emily has ever known, she falls for
him quickly and wishes for them to be married. Homer, on the other hand, feels
differently about the situation. Homer remarks that he [is] not a marrying man (30).
When Homer refuses to marry her, Emily decides to keep him with her the only way she
knows how. She poisons Homer Barron with arsenic and stows his body away in an
upstairs bedroom. It is evident in the details of the story that, after Homers death, Emily
continues to share a bed with him for some time. The pillow beside Homer Barrons
corpse has the indention of a head and on top of it is a long strand of iron gray hair
Emily Griersons neglect and lack of freedom during childhood eventually leads to
a murderous obsession for company. She lives her life, longing for love and a sense of
belonging, which her father has never given her. Therefore, she takes it upon herself to
keep the people closest to her heart by her side forever, using whatever means necessary.
