Motionless as an Idol - Columbus State University

Bullock 13essence, both necessary steps if men are to fully possess and control the female sexualitythat threatens them. Caddy resists domination but stillsuffers under its force."A Rose for Emily"Miss Emily, in Faulkner's story, "A Rose for Emily," suffers like Caddy under theforce of dominant male influence throughout her life.William Faulkner utilizesmetaphors of art to demonstrate the confinement that Miss Emily experienced in her townand to advocate for her to have a more liberated societal position. Iargue that Faulknersupports the feminist cause, although he often casts his opinions and reformativesolutions in metaphor. Faulkner uses these metaphors to achieve a dual, yet connected,purpose. The first part of that purpose elaborates on Faulkner's idea about art and theemphasis the artistic concepts put on Miss Emily's position within her patriarchal society.One idea pertinent to the purpose is related to Faulkner's understanding of the artist'sappropriation and manipulation of material. Faulkner then applies this understanding ofappropriation to Miss Emily; by casting Miss Emily as different pieces of art, thetownspeople establish and retain their control over her. The second part of the purposepresents Miss Emily as the fulfillment of, and simultaneous challenge to, her culture'sstereotypes and expectations related to women. Both dimensions comment on theportrayal of Miss Emily and the society in which she is developed; they each voicespecific concerns regarding the facades imposed upon women in the American South.Throughout the story, Faulkner employs several art metaphors, each depicting afacet of Miss Emily constructed by her society. Itis important to note that the entire storyis told through the voice of the collective narrator, the voice of the townspeople, and,