In “A Rose for Emily,” written by William Faulkner at a time when old traditions seem as important to Emily Grierson as anything in the world. This is a lady who holds tightly to her Old South beliefs. She could not accept the change of the new generation of newcomers in the new South in which she lived until the day she died. She must live her life isolated and hidden in the darkness of a world she has never been able to understand. Miss Grierson doesn't let anyone into this vulnerable place. This leads him to seek acceptance and companionship beyond the grave. Emily Grierson's mental illness stems from several dysfunctions with her overbearing father, the nosy community, and her own insecurities within her. When Miss Grierson loses her father, it seems that a part of her died with him. She continues to function like a regular human being, but she didn't have all the mechanical equipment she needed to move forward in her life. Emily's father has shown a lot of dominance over his daughter's life and this could be the reason why she is not as close to anyone within the community. According to critics, “to protect her, he must turn against her, leaving her intact and inviolate” (Arensberg and Schyfter 127). This means that Mr. Grierson must be tough on his daughter but not hurt her. Emily would continue this behavior into adulthood, leaving her to show no signs of empathy towards another individual. The relationship between Emily and Mr. Grierson could have been considered by many to be incest between a father and daughter. This kind of behavior might have been normal for Emily given that she didn't communicate with anyone other than her father. Mr. Gri...... middle of paper ......works cited "A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner." Review of a short story. Ed. Jenny Cromie. Flight. 42. Detroit: Gale Group, 2001. 72-135. Online literary criticism. Internet. March 13, 2014. Arensberg, Mary and Sara E. Schyfter. “Hairoglyphics in Faulkner “A Rose for Emily”/Reading the Primal Trace.” Frontier 2, Vol. 15 (fall 1986-winter 1987): 123-134. JSTOR. Internet. 2. March 2014. Faulkner, William. “A rose for Emily.” Portable literature: read, react, write. Ed. Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell. 8th ed. Boston: Wadsworth, 2013. 128-134. Printed. Fitzgerald, Sheila and Lanzen Harris. “William Faulkner (1967-1962).” Flight. 1. Detroit: Gale Research, 1988. 145-188. Online Literature Review. Internet. April 10, 2014. Heller, Terry. “The Revealing Hair: A Critical Study of William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily.” » Coe College. 2011.n. page. Internet. February 28 2014.