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Life Changing Moment In A Rose For Emily

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Falling in love can be dangerous; it causes some people to perform impulsive actions. In William Faulkner’s short story “A Rose for Emily,” Emily Grierson experiences a number of life changing moments. Her reactions to these moments leave readers with no choice but to question her mental state. Emily’s father had extremely high expectations for whom Emily could love. So when she got the chance, she fell in love with the first man who gives her attention. All the while, she was like a celebrity of her town: she had no privacy. Emily Grierson was the victim of a damaged mind due to the death of her harsh, austere father, unrequited love, and obnoxious neighbors, causing her to commit homicide. The Griersons were of a high social class. Emily lived with her controlling father. He limited the things she could do with extremes. Their family was portrayed as a “tableau” (part II, para. 12). They were a picture perfect family, which is why no man met the standards Emily’s father held. Mr. Grierson dismissed all the young men that attempted to date Miss Emily. When her father died, she became lonely. Emily’s father was the only man that had ever shown her love. She never got the chance to experience love from anyone else. She refused to believe he was dead; “she did that for three days, with the ministers calling on her, and the doctors, trying to persuade her to let them dispose of the body” (part. II, para. 14). This reflects her mental state Burnett 2 deteriorating. She kept the

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