Insight to Life

In William Faulkner’s short story “A Rose for Emily,” the point of view consistently remains first person plural.  From this point of view, readers get a taste of a mysterious image of what might really be on the inside of main character Emily’s house.  If the point of view shifted to first person singular instead of first person plural, there would be some drastic changes within the story. 

If the story were told from Tobe, the servant’s point of view, the reader’s insight to Emily’s life would significantly change.  No longer would one have to infer about Emily’s daily actions or thoughts.  Tobe’s point of view would explain those actions from a personal first hand experience.  The story might focus more on Emily’s actual life rather than focusing on the town’s people’s views and thoughts of Emily.  The mystery of Emily’s life will be told and secrets would no longer be hidden.  Emily’s struggle with death with her loved ones would be revealed by Tobe, who is the only one seen coming and going from the home.  The most drastic change within the story would be the insight Tobe would have about the poisen Emily bought and the death of Homer. Even if "A Rose for Emily" shifted point of views the theme would not shift too.  The theme of change and the power of death would remain untouched.