After reading “A Rose for Emily”, this story shows Miss Emily has power. When Miss Emily father died, the mayor and aldermen tried to find a way for to pay for her tax but she never did. Due to the fact she was an elderly women and all she had left to her name was her father’s house, they allowed her get away without any consequences. However, the authorities tried to find a way for to pay her taxes by inviting themselves to her house, they showed her respect by standing up when she entered the room. The men were also apprehensive to talk to Miss Emily about the issue when she had enter into room. “She did not ask them to sit. She stood in the door and listened quietly until the spokesman came to a stumbling halt.” Especially since her father had loan money to the town. Another detail that shows that Miss Emily has power is the negro man that is always by her side. “Daily, monthly, yearly, we watched the Negro grow grayer and more stopped, going in and out with the market basket.” This young man was committed to helping Miss Emily and wait on her throughout the years.
Another person who also had power was Miss Emily lover, Homer Barron a new guy that came in town. He took charge in reconstructing The South. “The construction company came with niggers and mules and machinery, and a foreman named Homer Barron.” He also became the center of attention in the town. “Whenever you heard a lot of laughing anywhere about the square, Homer Barron would be in the center of the group.” This means he is more liked which can indicate for more respect which can be shown as a type of power.
I think the authorities shows a lack of power. When neighbors complained about a smell that was coming from Miss Emily house the Judge did not have the audacity to consult her about the odor. So some of neighbors took the matter into their own hands by sneaking onto Miss Emily property and sprinkling lime in all the outbuilding. The also could not get her to pay for her taxes. Every time she stated her comment, it was firm and preserved. “ ‘But there is nothing on the books to show that, you see we must go by the–’ ‘See Colonel Sartoris. I have no taxes in Jefferson.’ ” In the story, she keeps her decision made by giving back the same answer.
Well technically I believe that the reason why Emily did now have to pay taxes was not because she was alone and had nothing left to her name and was mourning with the death of her father but because her father had loaned money to the town in the past because he was very wealthy.
Well technically I believe that the reason why Emily did now have to pay taxes was not because she was alone and had nothing left to her name and was mourning with the death of her father but because her father had loaned money to the town in the past because he was very wealthy.
We talked in class about how Mr. Grierson hadn’t actually loaned the town money. Re-read that passage and reflect on why Colonel Sartoris exempts Emily from paying taxes and how he explains it to her.
The Grierson family for generations were viewed by the town as aristocrats, as “better than.” After losing her father, Emily was alone and husbandless. Poor Emily, she could not afford to pay taxes and Colonel Sartoris was aware of this fact. He felt sorry for her and came up with a plausible story that he figured no one would refute. He claimed Emily’s father had loaned the town money. Emily was excused from paying taxes as a way for the town to repay this loan. He knew his story would not be questioned, because after all he was the mayor. He had pass laws in that town that people respected and uphold. No one would accuse him of lying. Miss Emily was too proud to accept charity and choose to believe this story. Even though deep down she must have known the truth. Colonel Sartoris protected her from shame.