In Faulkner's short story, "A Rose for Emily," Miss Emily Grierson represents the fading traditions of the Southern town in which she lives. She is the last of a once great and powerful family, albeit one whose means are greatly diminished at the time of her father's death. Because of what she represents, and the history of her family, the mayor at the time of her father's death remits her property taxes, "the dispensation dating...
In Faulkner's short story, "A Rose for Emily," Miss Emily Grierson represents the fading traditions of the Southern town in which she lives. She is the last of a once great and powerful family, albeit one whose means are greatly diminished at the time of her father's death. Because of what she represents, and the history of her family, the mayor at the time of her father's death remits her property taxes, "the dispensation dating from the death of her father on into perpetuity."
When the next generation of town leaders comes into power, they, later claiming that no record of the remittance exists, send a property tax notice to Miss Emily on the first of the year. At first she ignores the tax notice, then when the town government persists, she agrees to a meeting. At that meeting, she dismisses their concerns, steadfastly maintaining that she does not pay taxes. Eventually, the town government gives up and allows her to continue not paying any taxes.
Faulkner uses this incident to show both Miss Emily's status in the town as well as her own sense of self. Not only does she represent a past era, she herself continues to live in that era, and she shows that she is going to keep living in it despite what others in town may want her to do.