Symbols in A Rose For Emily - Essay Example

At the time Emily remains indoors, Tobe’s hair is used in place of Emily’s to tell the time in the town. The reader knows about this symbolism following the change in the timing of events every time hair is used.

A pocket watch has also been used as a symbol of time in the story. Board of Aldermen members visited Emily to deliberate on tax issues ten years before her death (Faulkner, 2007). During this visit, an invisible pocket watch ticked within Emily’s clothing. “Then they could hear the invisible watch ticking at the end of the gold chain” (Faulkner, 2007). This represents that Emily was aware of the time factor in her life, and that time acted as an invisible force that compelled her to become self-conscious about her life and the people around her. At this time, time is ticking down toward happiness chances for Emily. The reader knows about this symbolism from the flashbacks presented in the story. A pocket watch is used to observe time, and each event in the story is time conscious. This is more so about Emily’s experiences.