“True realism consists of revealing the surprising things that habit hides and prevents us from seeing. » This quote from Jean Cocteau provides an accurate summary of realism in American literature. Authors such as Raymond Carver and William Faulkner worked to expose their readers to flaws, internal or external. Their literature puts humanity under the magnifying glass and allows the reader to examine their daily lives from a distance. On examination, many gaps can be discovered. Sometimes an author not only reveals these flaws, but also offers a practical solution. Most often, however, realists leave it to their readers to formulate a remedy. In A Rose for Emily, Faulkner revisits the relationships of an aging Southern belle, using third and second person narrative to comment on the events of the story. The main character of the story, Miss Emily Grierson, has had two main relationships during her life. The first, the relationship she had with her father, is described as controlling: “…that quality of her father which had thwarted his wife's life so many times before was too virulent and too furious to die. (Faulkner 162) Emily's second relationship was romantic in nature. Her courtship with Homer Barron began with buggy rides around town and ultimately ended with his death at his hands. Even without details, it's obvious that Emily suffered from a lack of healthy relationships throughout her life. One of the current flaws in the story is people's inability to recognize and escape unhealthy relationship patterns. A Rose for Emily, although written nearly thirty years before the concept was developed, tells the story of one woman's struggle with codependent relationships.... ... middle of paper...... nging, forcing them to create their own remedy for society's ills. In theory, this exposure to our many imperfections should create a society of individuals oriented toward personal development. Fortunately, for today's realists, this is not the case, and there are many more flaws to expose to a growing readership. Works Cited Faulkner, William. “A rose for Emily.” The Seagull Reader: Stories. New York: WW Norton, 2008. 155-64. Print “Mental Health America: Codependency.” » Mental Health America: Codependency. Internet. March 23, 2011. Klein, Thomas. "The Ghostly Voice of Gossip in Faulkner's 'A Rose for Emily'." Explainer 65.4 (2007): 229-232. MLA International Bibliography. EBSCO. Internet. March 21, 2011. Carver, Raymond. "Cathedral." The Seagull Reader: Stories. New York: WW Norton, 2008. 84-98. Print