Setting. Place

     The description of Emily’s house may characterize her to some extent. The details of Miss Emily's house closely relate to her and symbolize what she stands for. It is set on "what had once been the most select street." The narrator (which is the town in this case) describes the house as "stubborn and coquettish." Cotton gins and garages have long obliterated the neighborhood, but it is the only house left. With a further look at Miss Emily's life, we realize the importance of the setting in which the story takes place. The house in which she lives remains static and unchanged as the town progresses. Inside the walls of her abode, Miss Emily conquers time and progression.

“It smelled of dust and disuse…It was furnished in heavy, leather covered furniture…the leather was cracked…. On a tarnished gilt easel before the fireplace stood a crayon portrait of Miss Emily's father.”

      The description of Miss Emily's house is very haunting. There is no life or motion in this house, everything appears to be decaying. Everything is dusty, motionless, it seems like time stands still in her house, like it remained several centuries in the past – just like Emily’s thoughts and views – outdated and moldy. Everything appears heavy and leaden – just like main heroine’s body and soul.  

     But for Emily’s house, the author describes renovations and restructuration in the town – everything changes, everything, but Ms. Emily.