Emily's death at the beginning of the story through the description of Emily's death-haunted life to the foundering of tradition in the face of modern changes. In every case, death prevails over every attempt to master it. These themes are enhanced through motifs like death and taxes or compassion
It's kind of saying that if you fit in and try and act like everyone else what you do will most likely not be significant. People who are different often do extraordinary things and show their intelligence through what they do. They make history what it is. That can be good or bad.
