Emily Grierson's Facebook Page

In William Faulkner’s short story, “A Rose for Emily”, the main source of information about Emily Grierson is based on the omniscient third person’s narration throughout the story. The mysterious narrator portrays the reaction of the citizens of Jefferson to Emily, and the events that happened to her in town.

This is a photograph of an old woman that I imagine she would use as her profile picture. I chose this picture because this is a good representation of Emily in her 60’s. In the story, the narrator describes her appearance when the tax collector visits her: “they rose when she entered-a small, fat woman in black, with a gold chain descending to her waist and vanishing into her belt, leaning on an ebony cane with a tarnished gold head. Her skeleton was small and spare; perhaps that was why what would have been merely plumpness in another was obesity in her.” (357) The woman in this picture fits the physical descriptions of Emily, who has a small figure with gold hair. For her outfit, she is also dressed in black old-fashioned clothing with a chain around her neck. I imagine the woman in this picture is a better representation of Emily. The old woman in the photograph looks more polished and properly dressed than the descriptions of Emily in the story.

According to information given in the story, I imagine that if Emily Grierson had internet access to own a Facebook page, she would not pay much interest and attention to add details on her page. I suspect that she is not into social networking, so her personal profile would be plain and her activity on Facebook would be kept minimal. As the result, she would not participate in any application that is available on Facebook. As her privacy setting, she would set her page restricted so only her close friends could see her on her profile. The reason I suspect her to use a strict privacy setting on her page is because of Emily's action that is described in the story. She excludes herself from the community and did not leave home for almost six months, in order to avoid socializing with people. Faulkner shows Emily's aloofness when she treates the tax collectors coldly and advises them to leave her house after a short conversation.

I suppose the only reason Emily would use Facebook would be to advertise her china-painting class in one of the downstairs rooms at her house. Since she does not connected with the people in town, she might need to create a interest group of china-painting on Facebook to promote her painting class to the people in town. This way, she would be able to sustain her living by teaching students after her father died.

For her pictures, Emily would post photographs of some of the artwork she has done: some beautiful painted china and a crayon portrait of her father on a tarnished gilt easel. Also, she would post some pictures of her with her father to show her attachment to her father. Emily’s close connection to her father is revealed when she is in denial of her father's death even after three days.

In Emily's friend list, she would only add a few friends: Tobe-her servant, Colonel Sartoris, old lady Wyatt-her great aunt, and Homer Barron-her lover. However, I suspect that she would have many friend requests. According to the story, the women in town were curious to discover Emily's secrets; in order to find out, they would add Emily as a friend to order to gain access to the information of Emily’s personal life.

Conversation thread from Emily’s Wall:

Emily: Its been a long time I have not seen you, how are you lately? I am looking forward to go out with you. How about we drive around town in my yellow-wheeled buggy this Sunday afternoon?

Homer: This sounds terrific! I will bring my hat and cigar.

Emily: Great! I will go and get some ingredients to prepare a special dinner especially for you.

Homer: Thanks, I will see you later.