A Rose for Emily Reading Questions A

Answer in complete sentences. Use quotes from the story to support your answers.

1. Describe the relationship between Miss Emily and her father. How does this relationship
affect/warp all of Miss Emilys life?
2. How does the towns attitude change about Miss Emilys taxes reflect wider social and
economic changes in the South?
3. Many characters in Modern literature are warped by their past and cut off from their
communities. Is this the case of Miss Emily? How did her isolation affect her?
4. What is the author saying about Southern traditions? Should they be treasured or
thrown out?

A Rose for Emily Reading Questions B

5. How are womens roles addressed in this story? What happens to women trapped in
these traditional roles, as seen in this story?
6. Why does Miss Emily kill Homer Barron?
7. What is the meaning behind the gray hair on the pillow? Is this image just for horror or
is there a greater comment on the storys themes here? What would that comment be?
8. How does Faulkner use Toby, the manservant, to comment on African-Americans
(former slaves or their children, often) in the early 20th century? What does he seem to
be saying about their role in the community?