Short Story Course

Author William Faulkner Country United States Language English Genre(s) Southern Gothic Published in 1930

Emily Grierson : The object of fascination in the story. Emily is a mysterious figure who changes from a hopeful young girl to a secretive old woman. Devastated and alone after her father’s death, she is an object of pity for the townspeople. Homer Barron - A foreman from the North. Homer is a large man with a dark complexion, Despite his attributes, the townspeople view him as a poor, He disappears in Emily’s house and decomposes in an attic bedroom after she kills him a booming voice, and light-colored eyes.

Judge Stevens :- A mayor of Jefferson. Eighty years old, Judge Stevens attempts to delicately handle the complaints about the smell emanating from the Grierson property. Colonel Sartoris :- A former mayor of Jefferson. Colonel Sartoris absolves Emily of any tax burden after the death of her father. His elaborate gesture is not heeded by the succeeding generation of town leaders. Mr. Grierson :- Emily’s father. Mr. Grierson is a controlling, looming presence even in death, and the community clearly sees his lasting influence over Emily. Tobe :- Emily’s servant. Tobe, his voice supposedly rusty from lack of use, is the only lifeline that Emily has to the outside world.

Miss Emily met Homer Baron, a foreman with a construction company, when her hometown was first getting paved streets. Her father had already died but, not before driving away her eligible suitors. As rumors circulate about her possible marriage to a Yankee, Homer leaves town abruptly. During his absence, Miss Emily buys rat poison. When Homer returns, the townspeople see him enter Miss Emily’s house but not leave. Only when she dies do the townspeople discover his corpse on a bed in her house and, next to it, a strand of Miss Emily’s hair.

Section 6 : The town relegates her to disgrace and sends for her cousins. Section 7: The cousins arrive, and Homer leaves town. Section 8: Three days after the cousins leave, Homer returns. Section 9: Miss Emily buys poison at the local drug store. Section 10: Homer disappears. Section 11: A horrible stench envelops Miss Emily's house. Section 12: Four town aldermen secretly sprinkle lime on her lawn.