In the story Rose for Emily the author William Faulkner makes no direct mention of a rose, nor is there an indirect reference of a rose. So the rose is a figurative rose. There are many things can be considered a rose. Emily’s beau can be considered a rose. The rose could also be her family name The Griersons. Although these could be considered “roses”, the answer may be simpler than that. The story itself is the rose for Emily. Not much is known about Emily, nor the Griersons as time has passed.
The story is pieced together from what the townspeople know of her. She came from a noble family and considered herself very esteemed. Since the truth will never be known about Emily, the rumors and tidbits of information from the community portray her life and who she was. Compiling these tidbits of information about Emily creates a story. A story that future generations will read and remember who Emily Grierson was. This story ensures that her memory will never die and that she will be remembered. The perfect rose to rest on someone’s grave.

According to the text Rose for Emily proof can be actualized that mentally ill and/or mentally disturbed individuals are capable of loving. While Emily was never formally diagnosed it was clear she had some issues. She loved her beau so much that instead of risking him leaving and never returning she would rather him stay at home in a more permanent status.
She definitely loved him or else she would not have devoted herself to going to town to purchase the things she thought he should have. Purchasing gifts is one thing, but getting a recluse to emerge from their dwelling into the public to buy presents requires love or else they wouldn’t be a recluse.
These examples from the short story are the proof the story offers that mentally disturbed people are capable of love. Even though her disturbed mind superseded her love for her beau it doesn’t deny that there was love to begin with.