How does William Faulkner's "Dry September" highlight differences between the Old and New South?

The early 20th century in the American South saw gradual economic growth and rapid social changes after the Civil War. Relying heavily on African American labour despite their newfound freedom, racial tensions persisted. The Great Migration witnessed black individuals moving north, and the Great Depression, compounded by a prolonged drought, brought widespread unemployment.

"Dry September" explores violence against black men in the 1920s South, reflecting vigilante justice rooted in racial prejudice. Whites use violence to assert social dominance, indifferent to evidence or innocence. The story reveals the preservation of racial hierarchy through violence, emphasising social order over justice.

In "Dry September", rumour and reputation shape lives, particularly for Minnie Cooper and Will Mayes. Racial animosity drives violence, critiquing Southern racial relations and showcasing deadly consequences. Set against the Great Depression's backdrop, the story symbolises social frustration and powerlessness.

Jefferson, governed by empowered white men, enforces justice rooted in racism. "Dry September" portrays vigilantism as a tool for biased societal order, marginalising dissenting opinions. Weather references highlight environmental influence on characters' actions.

In the 1920s South, racial violence prevails, and Hawkshaw's rationality clashes with social expectations. The story critiques racial relations, emphasising the deadly consequences of irrational racial hatred. The backdrop of drought intensifies social tensions, showcasing Faulkner's exploration of complex themes.

"Dry September" is a short story that provides a stark portrayal of the racial tensions in the American South during the early 20th century. The narrative highlights several differences between the old and new South:

The story is set in a town that still clings to the racial norms and segregation of the Old South. Deep-seated racial prejudices and discrimination are evident, and the white community often acts violently against perceived threats to these norms. Faulkner suggests a shift in social attitudes and norms, indicating the emergence of a New South. However, the pace and extent of this change are slow, and deeply ingrained racism persists in the form of social attitudes and actions.

The story reveals a flawed and biased justice system in the Old South. The white community is quick to assume guilt based on race, leading to a form of vigilante justice against a black man accused of assaulting a white woman. While the legal system of the New South may have evolved to some extent, the story suggests that racial biases still taint the process. The inability of the legal system to deliver true justice underscores the ongoing struggles for fairness and equality.

Traditional gender roles are reinforced in the story, with women expected to conform to social expectations of purity and innocence. Any deviation from these expectations, real or perceived, triggers extreme reactions. The evolving roles of women in society are hinted at in the narrative, but the story suggests that traditional expectations persist. The treatment of women who defy social norms highlights the tensions between old and new perspectives on gender roles.

The town's white population, particularly the older generation, vehemently resists any challenge to the established racial hierarchy. Change is viewed as a threat, leading to violent reactions to perceived breaches of social norms. The story hints at the possibility of change, but the resistance to it is palpable. The violent response to the mere suggestion of racial equality or justice indicates that progress is slow and fiercely opposed.

Faulkner paints a grim picture of the struggles between the old and new South, emphasising the persistence of racial prejudices and the challenges faced by those advocating for change. The story captures the complexities of a region grappling with its historical legacy and the slow, tumultuous journey towards a more just society.

Despite Hawkshaw's plea to ascertain the facts before taking action, the clients insist that, as a white man, he should not tolerate this and suggest he "go back North", despite Hawkshaw being a native of the town. The entry of John McLendon, a decorated war hero, amplifies the tension in the barber shop. He immediately questions the patrons, asking if they will allow a black man to rape a white woman on the streets of Jefferson. Hawkshaw maintains his position as a rational and principled man, focusing on Mayes's character and reputation. However, the other men perceive this defence of a black man as a betrayal of their identity as Southern white men, as evident in their suggestion that Hawkshaw relocate north. McLendon's arrival heightens the discussion, particularly as he is the first to explicitly use the term "rape" to describe the rumoured encounter. 

In Black Skin, White Masks Frantz Fanon argues that racial domination is sustained not merely through physical violence but also through a psychological system in which the dominant group constructs the racialised Other as threatening, inferior, or dangerous. In Faulkner’s story, the rumour surrounding Will Mayes functions in precisely this way: the absence of evidence becomes irrelevant because the black man has already been culturally constructed as a potential threat to white womanhood and Southern social order.