In "A Rose for Emily," William Faulkner's use of language foreshadows and builds up to the climax of the story. His choice of words is descriptive, tying deeply into the theme through which Miss Emily Grierson threads, herself characteristic of the effects of time and the nature of the old and the new. Appropriately, the story begins with death, flashes back to the near distant past, and leads on to the demise of a woman …showed first 75 words of 790 total…

…showed last 75 words of 790 total…hardheaded In upper classes, the upstairs implies private life as opposed to public life displayed downstairs. Emily has shut off the top floor--or her private life--and allows the townspeople to view only her public image. Just as a statue occupies its corner in a wall, Emily continues to occupy her position (Niche) as the last Grierson. Whether or not Emily looks at the townspeople is petty for an icon does not mingle with the collection.