1. Inescapable:
- The theme of the story is the inescapable hold of the past on the present. The lives of the characters are haunted by the events and secrets buried beneath the surface.
- The town is bound by its past, symbolized by Emily's decaying house and her reclusive lifestyle.
2. Impervious:
- Emily is portrayed as an impervious character—an impenetrable fortress—to the outside world. She resists change and clings tightly to her memories and traditions, making her impervious to societal norms and expectations.
- Emily's emotions and thoughts are often hidden, leaving her motives impervious to understanding.
3. Tranquil:
- In contrast to the sense of decay and mystery surrounding Emily, the surface of the town appears tranquil and undisturbed.
- However, this tranquility is deceptive and a facade for the secrets that lie beneath, including Emily's hidden affair and the gruesome discovery at the end of the story.
4. Perverse:
- The story delves into the perverse and unconventional nature of Emily's actions. Her actions, including keeping Homer's body in her home and preparing it for burial, are seen as perverse and grotesque.
- The story's conclusion is perversely ironic as the townspeople discover the disturbing secrets hidden within Emily's house.
By weaving these words into the narrative, Faulkner crafts a story that explores themes of obsession, loss, and social decline while keeping readers captivated by its twists and turns. The use of these terms contributes to the overall complexity and psychological depth of "A Rose for Emily."