Use of Symbolism in A Rose for Emily Authors traditionally use symbolism as a way to represent the sometimes intangible qualities of characters, places, and events in their works. In his short story "A Rose for Emily", William Faulkner uses symbolism to compare the Grierson house to Emily Grierson's physical deterioration, her change in social position, and her reluctance to accept change. When compared chronologically, the Grierson house is used to symbolize Miss Emily's physical attributes. In its prime, the Grierson house is described as "white, decorated with domes and spiers and scrolled balconies in the starkly bright style of the seventies" (Faulkner 69). This description suggests that the house was built not only for function, but also to impress and attract the attention of other citizens. Likewise, wealthy women of the time, Emily Grierson notwithstanding, were flamboyantly dressed. This, in most cases, was due to the fact that their appearance was perceived as a direct reflection of their husbands and/or fathers. This display of extravagance was selfishly designed by men to give an impression of wealth to the spectators. Emily was regarded by her father as property. Its meaning to him was highly ornamental, just as their overly luxurious home was. As the plot progresses, the reader is clearly made aware of the physical decline of both the house and Miss Emily. Just as the house is described as "smelling of dust and disuse," evidence of Emily's aging is given when her voice is said to be "harsh and rusty, as if disused" (70-74). Ultimately, at the time of Emily's death, the house is seen by the citizens as "an eyesore among eyesores" and Miss Emily is considered a "fallen monument" (69). Both are empty and lifeless. Neither is even remotely representative of their former glory. Much like their physical characteristics, Faulkner uses the Grierson house as a symbol of Miss Emily's change in social status. In its prime, the house was "large" and "square" and located on Jefferson's "selectest street" (69). This description gives the reader the impression that the residence was not only extremely solid, but also larger than life, almost Gothic in nature, and seemingly impervious to the petty problems of ordinary people. Members of the Grierson family, especially Emily, were also considered strong and powerful. The citizens considered them royalty. And Emily, as the last living Grierson, came to symbolize the rich past of her family, and perhaps the entire South. However, the townspeople's veneration for Emily soon waned, when word spread that no money had been left to her in her father's will, only the house. Furthermore, her scandalous appearances with Homer Barron further diminished her reputation in the eyes of the public. And, perhaps inevitably, the prestige and desirability of the Grierson house fell as Miss Emily's name diminished. Perhaps the most telling comparison occurs when the Grierson house is used to symbolize Emily Grierson's reluctance to accept change. Emily Grierson has remained closely linked to her family's rich past. A good example of this occurred when representatives were sent to his home to collect back taxes. She completely rejected her responsibility to the city by sending the men back to a time when the deceased mayor, Colonel Sartoris, "forgave her taxes" (70). Miss Emily and the house show further examples of their contempt for the. 1991: 69-76.