The human mind is a fragile thing. It can be both strengthened and broken down easily. Actions and even words can be the solution to mentally killing a person. Physically harming or confining a person can lead to mental and physical withdrawal. Harming a person with words can leave lasting effects and always remain in a person's psyche. Oppressing and locking away a person's true nature or desires can cause someone to act in a way they have never behaved before. If done by a loved one, it can affect a person even more. In “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner and “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell, two different women are kept mentally and physically locked away by a person who is supposed to love and protect them. Although Emily and Mrs. Wright experienced different situations, each of them had a mental breakdown. Both women took what they could before deciding they'd had enough and taking matters into their own hands. In "A Rose for Emily", Emily is kept and locked away from the world. Her father keeps her isolated with only the company of their servant. The people of the town "remembered all the young men his father had driven away" (Faulkner 219). Because of this, Emily has grown up well past the age when she was courted and found a husband. After his death, she was left even more alone than before. His family hasn't really been present in his life since they and his father fell out and haven't kept in touch. The people of the town also contributed to Emily's isolation. People have always considered the family strange and mysterious while keeping their distance. Emily had “a vague resemblance to those angels in the stained windows of the church, in a tragic and serene way” (Faulkner 220). He didn't leave the house often and when he did, ... middle of paper ... nannies. These things can also cause unintended consequences for the people around them. Once that person collapses, they can never be the same again. Works Cited Faulkner, William. "A rose for Emily." Literature and its writers. 6th ed. Boston, NY: Bedford/St. Martins, 2004. 217-23. Print.Glaspell, Susan. "A jury of his peers." Literature and its writers. 6th ed. Boston, NY: Bedford/St. Martin, 2004. 243-58. Print.Glaspell, Susan. "Trifles." Literature and its writers. 6th ed. Boston, NY: Bedford/St. Martins, 2004. 1410-420. Print.Holstein, Suzy Clarkson. "Silent Justice in a Different Key: Glaspell's 'Nonsense'." Midwest Quarterly 44.3 (2003): 282-290. Complete text of humanities (H.W. Wilson). Network. April 3, 2014. Kurtz, Elizabeth Carney. "A Rose for Emily by Faulkner." Explicator 44.2 (1986): 40. Academic research completed. Network. April 1. 2014.