Discuss the central theme of Dry September./ How does Faulkner show racial injustice in the story?/ Write a critical appreciation of Dry September./ Explain the character of Miss Minnie Cooper./ What role does the mob play in Dry September?

 Discuss the central theme of Dry September./ How does Faulkner show racial injustice in the story?/ Write a critical appreciation of Dry September./ Explain the character of Miss Minnie Cooper./ What role does the mob play in Dry September?

William Faulkner’s short story Dry September is a powerful tale that shows the cruelty of society, the danger of false accusations, and the deep-rooted racism of the American South. The story is set in a small Southern town during a hot, dry September. The heat symbolizes the tension and violence building up in the town. The main character is Miss Minnie Cooper, a lonely and aging white woman. She falsely accuses a black man named Will Mayes of attacking her. Without any real evidence or investigation, people in the town quickly believe her, just because she is a white woman and Will Mayes is black. This shows how unfair and racist society was at that time. The townspeople form a mob, led by a man named John McLendon, who is aggressive and violent. They catch Will Mayes and take him away. Although the story never clearly says what happens to him, it is understood that he is killed by the mob.

Faulkner does not focus only on the events but also on the feelings and behavior of the characters. Miss Minnie is shown as a sad, lonely person who creates a lie possibly out of frustration or madness. John McLendon is a war veteran who uses violence to prove his strength, but he is actually insecure and troubled. The story also presents a barber named Hawkshaw, who is one of the few characters who tries to stop the mob, showing that not everyone agrees with the violence. The story is told in five parts, each focusing on different characters and situations. This structure helps us understand how different people think and react. Faulkner’s language is simple but strong. He uses the heat, the silence, and the darkness to create a tense and fearful mood.

One of the most important messages of the story is how dangerous false accusations can be when combined with prejudice and blind belief. The title Dry September itself shows how lifeless and harsh the town has become, not just in terms of weather, but also in terms of morality. In the end, Miss Minnie walks home alone, while McLendon returns to his wife and behaves violently with her too, showing that such men carry violence with them everywhere. Faulkner does not give a clear ending, but leaves readers with a feeling of sadness and shock. Overall, the story teaches us that racism, lies, and mob violence can destroy lives and poison society. Faulkner's message is clear: people must think carefully, stand against injustice, and treat everyone with fairness and humanity.

Themes, Characters, Symbols, Social Meaning 

William Faulkner’s short story Dry September is a powerful and tragic tale that talks about racism, false accusation, gender roles, social violence, and human cruelty in the Southern United States. The story is set in a small Southern town during a dry and hot September, where the intense weather symbolizes the tension, anger, and moral emptiness of the people. The plot is simple but deeply emotional and meaningful. A white woman named Miss Minnie Cooper, who is now old, lonely, and mentally unstable, accuses a young Black man, Will Mayes, of attacking her. There is no proof to support her claim, but because of racial hatred and blind trust in white voices, the townspeople—especially white men—immediately believe her. This reflects the harsh truth of the American South during Faulkner’s time, where Black people were often punished or even killed based on the word of white people, without proper trial or evidence. The accusation becomes a reason for violence, anger, and hatred, even though the truth is unclear.

The story focuses on different characters and shows their reactions to the situation. Miss Minnie represents the sad condition of many women in that society—women who were once admired for their beauty, but after growing old and single, are ignored by society. Her desire for attention and her fear of being forgotten possibly lead her to invent the story about Will Mayes. Faulkner shows her as a tragic figure, not only cruel but also broken and desperate. Will Mayes, the Black man accused, is seen only briefly in the story, but he represents all innocent victims of racial violence. His quiet, polite, and respectful behavior shows that he is likely innocent, but that does not save him. The mob, led by John McLendon, takes Will away in a car, and although Faulkner does not clearly describe his fate, the readers understand that he is most probably lynched or beaten to death. John McLendon is shown as a violent man who thinks he is protecting the honor of white women, but he is actually full of rage and uses violence to feel powerful. At home, he is also violent to his wife, showing that his cruelty is not limited to race, but also directed toward women.

There is also a character called Hawkshaw the barber, who is the only person in the mob who tries to stop the violence. He shows a voice of reason and justice in a society full of blind anger, but sadly, his voice is too weak. Faulkner divides the story into five parts, each focusing on a different point of view. This style helps readers see the story from many angles and understand the deep emotions behind each character’s actions. The language is simple but filled with strong images—dusty roads, silent cars, dry winds—which reflect the lifeless and dry moral climate of the town. The title “Dry September” is symbolic, not only of the dry weather but also of the lack of kindness, love, and justice in the people’s hearts.

At the end of the story, Miss Minnie walks home alone, strangely happy, as if her false story has made her feel important again. But readers feel disturbed, because an innocent man has suffered for her lie. John McLendon returns to his house and scolds his wife, showing that violence is deeply rooted in his character. The story ends without giving peace to any character, and without offering any clear justice. Faulkner’s message is very strong—when society believes lies, and when people act on hatred instead of truth, then everyone suffers. This story is not just about race, but also about gender, power, madness, and how society fails to protect the innocent. Faulkner’s Dry September forces us to think about our own behavior and reminds us of the dangers of blind belief, mob mentality, and social injustice.