Why does William Faulkner name his story A Rose for Emily when it is about Emily’s murder of Homer?

Although Emily murders Homer Barron in this narrative, the story is less about Emily's act of murder and more about Emily herself and her experiences with death. The murder of Homer is indeed a significant component of the plot, but there are many other elements that contribute to William Faulkner's protagonist, Emily. Emily deals with and/or faces death in various capacities throughout the narrative. Faulkner's reason for choosing "A Rose For Emily" as the title could be interpreted in various ways, as the symbol of a rose may carry various meanings. Considering the heavy emphasis upon the theme of death throughout the narrative, one might understand the title as a symbol of condolence following a death or as an honoring of a memorial or monument (as Emily is so perceived by the men during her funeral). Another potential meaning for the title could be in reference to the romantic relationship between Emily and Homer and the potential expectation of marriage between them.

The first instance of Emily dealing with death is in the case of her father, when she wishes not to accept the reality of his passing and in fact avoids it. It is several days after his death that she finally breaks down and the people have the opportunity to bury his body. Here, Emily experiences a significant loss with the death of her father. However, her father had also withheld romantic relationships from her, resisting suitors that had come to call upon her in the past. 

Although Emily appeared in public less often after the death of her father, she managed to meet and connect with Homer Barron. Emily's purchasing of a men's toiletry kit and Homer's visits to her home were enough for the people of the town to understand the direction in which the relationship was headed. At one point, after Emily had purchased arsenic and Homer had visited her home, Homer was never seen again. This, then, is the second instance in which Emily interacts with death, in this case, the murder of her lover, Homer Barron. Perhaps the romantic meaning of the title is made plain in the relationship between Emily and Homer, as well as in Emily's attempt to keep the relationship and Homer even after his death. In this interpretation, Homer might be considered Emily's rose, embodying both the romantic and honorary characteristics of the rose symbol.

Finally, the last instance of death in Faulkner's narrative is Emily's own. At this point, the people of the town come to her home as part of her funeral. The people then discover that Emily has kept the dead body of Homer in a locked room in her home. Apparently, Emily would lie with him even after his death, as made evident by the strand of gray hair found on the pillow next to him. This particular scene could again allude to the romantic symbolism of the rose with Emily keeping the dead body of her lover for herself. However, the honorary symbolism of the rose may also be applied to this scene, as the people attend her funeral in honor of her life and death.