Miss Emily Grierson goes to the drug store to purchase poison. She specifically requests it without initially stating its intended use, despite legal requirements for the druggist to know the purpose of such a sale.
The Purchase Details
When Miss Emily visits the drug store, her demand for poison is direct. The druggist, adhering to legal protocols, attempts to ascertain the reason for her purchase. However, Miss Emily maintains a steadfast refusal to disclose her intentions. This standoff is eventually resolved when the druggist, to comply with the law, writes "for rats" on the package of arsenic he sells her.
Here's a breakdown of the interaction:
- Her Request: Miss Emily explicitly demands "some poison."
- Druggist's Requirement: The law mandates that the druggist must know the purpose of the poison sale.
- Miss Emily's Stance: She refuses to provide a reason for her purchase.
- Resolution: The druggist, yielding to her insistence and needing to record a purpose, inscribes "for rats" on the box containing the poison.
Miss Emily's True Intent
While the poison was officially marked "for rats," Miss Emily's actual intention was far more sinister. She planned to use the arsenic to kill her suitor, Homer Barron. This hidden motive underscores the dark secret that Miss Emily harbors, which later becomes a pivotal element in the narrative.
| Aspect of Purchase | Detail |
|---|---|
| Requested Item | Poison |
| Stated Purpose | None initially; later recorded as "for rats" by the druggist |
| Actual Intention | To murder Homer Barron |
