Analysis of dry September
Analysis of dry September
The opening paragraph of "Dry September" sets the tone of the story by focusing on the oppressive heat and the resultant, uncontrolled and heated passions of Jefferson 's citizens. Sixty-two hot, rainless days have created a frustration among the townspeople and have fueled Miss Minnie 's accusation that she was raped by a black man. The first sentence stresses the rapidity with which the rumor — "like a fire in dry grass" — has spread throughout the town. The dry spell also causes the twilight to appear "bloody red," which emphasizes the bloody events that are about to transpire. Already fueling people 's need for violence, the alleged attack has occurred in the early morning of the day that begins the story. Faulkner establishes a major theme by linking the rumor of Miss Minnie 's attack and the weather: Throughout the story, characters refer to the weather as an excuse for their behavior.
The first few paragraphs — typically Faulknerian with their long sentences of distorted but elaborate syntax — suggest another major theme, the questionable reliability of Miss Minnie 's accusation. The men assembled in the barbershop are unsure about the Southern woman 's claim: "Attacked, insulted, frightened: none of them . . . knew exactly what had happened," or whether anything had happened at all. We must remember the discussion of the White Goddess concept as we form opinions about these men; it should surprise none of us that many characters, although they have their private doubts about the truthfulness of Miss Minnie 's claim, do nothing to question her or to stop the killing.
Appropriately, the story begins in a barbershop, a symbolic gathering place for small-town gossipers. The spokesman for quiet, calm justice is Henry Hawkshaw, one of the barbers. In his support of the accused Will Mayes, Hawkshaw is instantly on the defensive as he insists repeatedly that those men who want to act rashly should first find out the facts before they rush
The opening paragraph of "Dry September" sets the tone of the story by focusing on the oppressive heat and the resultant, uncontrolled and heated passions of Jefferson 's citizens. Sixty-two hot, rainless days have created a frustration among the townspeople and have fueled Miss Minnie 's accusation that she was raped by a black man. The first sentence stresses the rapidity with which the rumor — "like a fire in dry grass" — has spread throughout the town. The dry spell also causes the twilight to appear "bloody red," which emphasizes the bloody events that are about to transpire. Already fueling people 's need for violence, the alleged attack has occurred in the early morning of the day that begins the story. Faulkner establishes a major theme by linking the rumor of Miss Minnie 's attack and the weather: Throughout the story, characters refer to the weather as an excuse for their behavior.
The first few paragraphs — typically Faulknerian with their long sentences of distorted but elaborate syntax — suggest another major theme, the questionable reliability of Miss Minnie 's accusation. The men assembled in the barbershop are unsure about the Southern woman 's claim: "Attacked, insulted, frightened: none of them . . . knew exactly what had happened," or whether anything had happened at all. We must remember the discussion of the White Goddess concept as we form opinions about these men; it should surprise none of us that many characters, although they have their private doubts about the truthfulness of Miss Minnie 's claim, do nothing to question her or to stop the killing.
Appropriately, the story begins in a barbershop, a symbolic gathering place for small-town gossipers. The spokesman for quiet, calm justice is Henry Hawkshaw, one of the barbers. In his support of the accused Will Mayes, Hawkshaw is instantly on the defensive as he insists repeatedly that those men who want to act rashly should first find out the facts before they rush