English 103 - Research essay - A Rose for Emily

English 103 - Research - A Rose for Emily - Essay Example â€Å"A Rose for Emily† can be approached in several ways by the reader: as a tragic love story which depicts Emily’s great love for Homer Barron; as a comment on life in the deep American South as it grapples with the changing times; as a cold-blooded murder shrouded in mystery; and as a psychological tale of madness and isolation. However it is approached, the story is undoubtedly a gripping piece of fiction which captivates the reader. Several themes are woven into the narrative, contributing to its richness. These themes mirror the characteristics of the Old South. â€Å"A Rose for Emily† is a narrative set in the Old South where racism, classism and sexism are an integral part of society. As a story which is set in the deep American South, â€Å"A Rose for Emily† is inevitably touched by the inherent racism of the southern plantations. The agrarian economy of the south depended on inhumane slave labor for profitability in its cotton and tobacco plantations. It is commonly acknowledged that, even after the defeat of the South and the abolition of slavery, southern society continued to be characterized by strong racist attitudes. This racism lingered on for decades and African-Americans remained unassimilated into southern society. In â€Å"A Rose for Emily,† Faulkner skillfully highlights this prevalent racism through the voice of the narrator and through his characterization of Emily’s Negro servant, Tobe. The narrator, representing the Jefferson community, is lightly dismissive of Emily’s servant. He is seen merely as â€Å"an old man-servant--a combined gardener and cook† (Faulkner, I). He is not perceived to be a person in his own right, but only in terms of being Emily’s man-of-all-trades. He is casually referred to as â€Å"the old Negro,† (Faulkner, I) and â€Å"the Negro man† (Faulkner, IV). The