William Faulkner's 'Dry September' is a gripping narrative set in the post-WWI American South, exploring the themes of racism, sexism, and the consequences of mob mentality. It centers on the false accusation against Will Mayes and the formation of a lynch mob, led by John McLendon, which results in a tragic miscarriage of justice. The story critiques the societal norms that allow such prejudices to flourish and the bystander apathy that perpetuates them.
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The story takes place in the post-World War I era in a fictional town in the American South
Will Mayes
The central conflict of the story revolves around the accusation against a Black man named Will Mayes
The story progresses without ever establishing the truth of the accusation, exposing the deep-seated racism and injustice in the American South
The barber who serves as the story's conscience and tries to defend Mayes but is ultimately overpowered by the mob
The accused Black man who is portrayed as a passive and respectful figure, with his innocence strongly implied but left unconfirmed
An aging and unmarried white woman who becomes the focal point of the town's gossip, despite her previously marginal status
A respected veteran who is quick to resort to violence and is determined to uphold the racial hierarchy of the South
The story demonstrates how unfounded rumors can escalate into violence without a genuine search for truth
The narrative highlights how individuals can become complicit in a system that perpetuates racism and sexism
The story comments on the subordinate status of women and Black men in the South, where white male authority enforces a racist and sexist social order
The intense societal tension and potential for irrational behavior is represented by the oppressive heat in the story
The pistol symbolizes McLendon's propensity for violence and his role in enforcing the social norms of the time
The handcuffs placed on Mayes symbolize the historical oppression of Black individuals and the constant threat of violence they face
00
The short story '______ September' by William Faulkner, set in the imaginary town of Jefferson, was released in ______.
Dry
1931
01
In Faulkner's tale, Will Mayes is wrongfully accused of attacking a white woman named ______ ______ in the aftermath of ______ ______ I.
Miss
Minnie Cooper
World War
02
Location of inciting incident in 'Dry September'
Barbershop on a hot evening.
