* Emily's love for her father: Emily's father was the most important person in her life, and his death devastated her. She never married and lived alone in her family home for the rest of her life.
* Emily's love for Homer Barron: Emily began a relationship with Homer Barron, a Northern man who came to the town. However, their relationship was frowned upon by the townspeople, and Homer eventually left Emily. Emily never forgot Homer, and she kept his body in her home after he died.
Honor
* Emily's sense of family honor: Emily was a proud woman who was very conscious of her family's reputation. She was determined to uphold the family name, even if it meant keeping Homer's body in her home.
* The town's sense of honor: The townspeople were very concerned with their reputations. They were quick to judge Emily and Homer, and they were disgusted by Emily's behavior after Homer's death.
Respectability
* Emily's desire for respectability: Emily was desperate for the townspeople to respect her. She went to great lengths to maintain her family's reputation, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness.
* The town's obsession with respectability: The townspeople were very concerned with appearances. They were quick to judge anyone who did not conform to their standards.