Dry September Summary

Women tend to be more emotionally attached than men which can change a person’s mood and personality. A break up in a relationship can trigger jealousy and selfish desires. That's the case with Miss Minnie who has lost the meaning of life since her so called lover left. Life hasn't been the same for the poor old lady in the town of Jefferson, Mississippi. Maybe the attention that used to exist as a young girl was lost. But getting an innocent man involved to fulfill one's selfish desires is not acceptable and certainly not the solution. In “Dry September,” by William
Faulkner, Miss Minnie wrongfully accused Will Mayes of rape because she was sexually frustrated and wanted to seek attention.
The setting was in the 1930s in Jefferson, Mississippi.
“Minnie is trying to sustain her moment in the sun.” (Rogalus, 1990, p.211). Miss
Minnie Cooper used to be very outgoing in her younger days but age and life issues has made her unnoticeable. Miss Minnie’s age played a huge role in creating feelings of undesire. Miss Minnie started to change as age got older and the only man who seemed to care had left. A banker who
FALSE ACCUSATION 6 seemed to be the man to put the end to the cold life of Minnie now only visits in the winter. “By
1921 Minnie’s lover was gone, and after that he is recalled by the town only once a year at
Christmas.” (Crane, 1985, p.414). The banker leaving was a sign Minne was changing and men was losing interest. Feeling very bad and unfortunate as Minnie was the only one out of her childhood friends who couldn’t find a man to marry. Age affected the social life aspect and created frustration within. At the end of the story Miss Minnie seem to be happy again. “Minnie is trembling, but more from excitement at being the center of attention than from guilt or shame.”
( Rogalus, 1990, p.211). After the death of Will Mayes, Minnie shows no sympathy instead happiness was the only emotion expressed. The love for attention contributed heavily in
Miss Minnie accused Will Mayes because she know the townspeople will believe her word over a black mans. “ It simply establishes that the men did not know whether or not the story originated with Copper, what exactly the black person is alleged to have done to her, and whether or not the person is alleged to be Will Mayes.” (Sutton,
1991, p.176). Whether or not Will Mayes was guilty was uncertain to the reader and to the people in the barbershop. The rummer Miss Minnie set out formed into the death of an ancient black men.
Miss Minnie’s decision to accuse a man of rape proved fatal but rewarding. Life was full of fun at an early stage as a young lady in town.. The amount of attention received from the men was something worth to die for. As age increased the dream marriage was a fairytale. Due to her age and conditions the only man whom cared for vanished. In result, social and sextual frustrations increased and the lady became more and more eager to grasp the past life. Miss
Minnie sparked an accusation on Will Mayes of rape in order to get a spot light and hoping to get attention from the men in town . Will Mayes ended up paying the price for the selfishness and carelessness of Miss