Rather than stating the true meaning of his works, William Faulkner generally uses symbolism to portray the depth of his tales. Throughout the story "A Rose For Emily," time is a continuous theme that is portrayed through symbols. The past, present, and future are represented by different people, places, and things. One of which such symbols, the main character herself, represents the essence of the past through her father, her house, and her lover. Historically, …showed first 75 words of 941 total…

…showed last 75 words of 941 total…she had ever accepted in her life. Once again, Miss Emily took refuge in her house and was never seen in public. Finally, after years of attempting to defeat time, Miss Emily fell victim to it. She met the same fate as her father, her house, and Homer Barron. "Miss Emily had gone to join the representatives of those august names where they lay in the cedarbemused cemetery" -- where they lay representing the past.