Concerning interpretations of Faulkner's "A Rose for
Emily," I haven't read Faulkner's own interpretation of his story. In fact, it would be
unusual for a writer to give a detailed interpretation of his own story. Thus, I can't
give an alternative interpretation to Faulkner's, since I don't know what his
is.
I can give a legitimate, relevant, and appropriate
alternative interpretation or way to analyze the story, however. Alternative, that is,
to the traditional interpretations of the story. I don't know if the traditional is
consistent with Faulkner's or not.
One could study the
character of Emily in terms of modern psychology. Psychology was in its early stages
when Faulkner wrote the story, and brain science did not exist then--at least not on any
level equal to what's going on today.
Thus, one could
investigate Emily's refusal to let go; her sheltered childhood; her reaction to her
economic and social fall from grace; her refusal to change; her refusal to give up her
father's body; her murdering of Homer; and her necrophilia from a psychological
perspective.
To use a cliche, the character of Emily
should provide a field day for a psychological study, and provide you with an
alternative interpretation.
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