Final answer:
People felt sorry for Miss Emily due to her being single at an age when marriage was expected, the history of mental health issues in her family, and her eventual isolation caused by her pride and choices.
Step-by-step explanation:
People felt sorry for Miss Emily for various reasons, reflecting the complex attitudes towards her in the community. One reason might be that she was single at the age of thirty in a time when being unmarried at that age was seen as unusual or pitiable.
Additionally, the fact that her great-aunt had gone crazy could have contributed to a sense of familial tragedy or predisposition to isolation and mental health issues, which might deserve sympathy. While Miss Emily holding herself too high could have initially caused resentment, her eventual fall from grace and seeing her give up opportunities could have turned that resentment into pity. The mention of her turning down chances could suggest that her independence and perceived pride left her isolated, leading to pity from those who saw the results of her choices as self-inflicted wounds.