This story is set after the American Civil War, in Jefferson Town. It is a story about a descendant of the noble woman, Emily Grierson, whose marriage is dominated by her father. Two years after her father's death, Emily falls in love with a northerner called Homer Barron. Unfortunately, Homer doesn't regard this relationship as serious as Emily and he intends to break up with Emily. Desperate Emily kills him and kept his body until her death. Since then, Emily isolates herself form the outside world and live lonely in her house for more than 40 years. In my opinions, this article discusses the change of the southern society and conflicts between southern society and northern society after the Civil War. This essay will be explained from the following three parts: character, symbol and setting. Emily represents the south, the old and tradition. In the story, the author spends a lot of words on the decoration of her house which is 1870s style, does not change any more. The house that isolates Emily from the world hints the mind of woman: shuttered, dusty and dark. Furthermore, she also insists on her previous opinions and obeys her own sense of law. For example, she refuses to pay her taxes when the new government compels the taxes on her. She even ridiculously mentions a colonel who has been dead for ten years. She prevents people from installing main-box on the wall is another example. She keeps the old ways as much as possible, but refuses to change anything until she falls in love with the norther Homer. During that period time, hierarchy is quiet popular and is deeply supported by people. It has a great influence on marriage. People normally choose similar social position person as wife or husband. Emily is a tough woman. She does not care people's criticism and choose to disobey the tradition. With this situation, her failure is predicable. However, she can't walk out of the Southern convention. In the end, she chooses her ow