Internal Conflicts:
* Emily's struggle with tradition and modernity: Emily clings to the fading traditions of the Old South, refusing to accept the changing times and the loss of her family's status. This internal conflict manifests in her resistance to paying taxes and her refusal to allow anyone to inspect her house.
* Emily's desire for love and control: Emily seeks love and connection, but her desperate need for control and her fear of abandonment lead to destructive actions. She refuses to let go of Homer Barron, even after his death.
* Emily's isolation and loneliness: She is a recluse, shut off from the world and the lives of others. This isolation is both a cause and a result of her internal conflicts.
External Conflicts:
* Emily vs. the town: The town is a constant source of conflict for Emily. They represent the encroaching modernity she resists, and they judge her for her eccentricities and her refusal to conform. The townspeople try to impose their rules and values on her, leading to an ongoing power struggle.
* Emily vs. Homer Barron: Their relationship is fraught with conflict. Homer represents a potential for love and a chance to break free from her past, but he also represents a threat to her control and her idealized image of him.
* Emily vs. time: The story is told from a retrospective perspective, reflecting on Emily's life and her inability to accept the passage of time. She struggles to hold onto her past, but time inevitably moves forward, creating a sense of tension and conflict.
Symbolic Conflicts:
* The South vs. the North: The story explores the conflict between the Old South's idealized past and the changing realities of the modern world. Emily's resistance to change symbolizes the South's struggle to adapt to a new era.
* Tradition vs. Progress: Emily represents the stubborn clinging to the past, while the town embodies the forces of modernization. This conflict highlights the tension between tradition and progress, which is a recurring theme in American literature.
The conflicts in "A Rose for Emily" are intertwined and contribute to the story's complex and ambiguous nature. They highlight the psychological struggles of a woman trapped in the past and the societal forces that contribute to her isolation and despair.