It is argued that a look into the time period in which William Faulkner lived is the greatest indicator of how and why he wrote his short stories. Having lived in the deep south growing up, Faulkner saw how society evolved and declined post-slavery. A historical lens best helps the reader understand the subtleties of race in the old south, which is portrayed through Faulkner’s creation of the imaginary county of Yoknapatawpha. Although Faulkner’s life is reflected in his work, knowledge about the time period furthers an understanding of what life in the south was truly like. One way that he elaborates on the strict social construct of these southern communities is by means of example. In Faulkner’s short story, “Dry September”, he highlights …show more content…
Likewise, the use of dialogue throughout the entirety of the story reveals these flaws, such as those arguing with the barber about who raped Miss Minnie Cooper. The rebuttal from a “hulking youth in a sweat-stained silk shirt” creates a readerly response which is almost readily provided by the author. He exclaims “Believe, hell! Won’t you take a white woman’s word before a nigger’s?” (Faulkner 1), which reveals the absurdity in the arguments, while also bringing in a sense of satire. By trying to disprove the barber’s opinion, the “hunking youth” states that simply to believe anything besides the white woman’s word is ludacris, implying the strict social idea that those that are white are automatically more reliable and truthful. This statement also exacerbates the idea that prejudice and hostility towards freed slaves was still rampant even post-slavery, while also mixing in Faulkner’s own view of this idea. What is more is that the sarcastic description of the young man and the obvious, almost rhetorical question stated by him is used to prompt the response of confusion out of the reader. Essentially, this demonstrates the insanity and irrationality of the situation while also