In William Faulkner's 1930 short story "A Rose for Emily," the protagonist, Miss Emily Grierson is a desperately lonely woman. Miss Emily finds herself completely isolated from other people her entire life, yet somehow manages to continue on with her head held high. French philosopher and writer Voltaire said "We are rarely proud when we are alone," but Miss Emily's case is quite the opposite. The strength that Miss Emily gains from pride is what helps her through the loneliest of times.

Miss Emily doesn't choose to be lonely, as no one ever does, but her path is chosen for her at an early age. Miss Emily's aristocratic father only wants the best for his little girl, and never allows her to have relationships with men. The narrator in the story In one aspect, Miss Emily's father strips her of the important social skills needed to survive by protecting...