William Faulkner’sWilliam Faulkner’s

“Dry September”“Dry September”

William FaulknerWilliam Faulkner• Lived from 1897 - 1962• New Albany and Oxford, Mississippi• Canadian Air Force in WWI• University of Mississippi• New Orleans --> newspaper articles

and short stories• Won several literary awards,

including the Nobel Prize for Literature

• Lived from 1897 - 1962• New Albany and Oxford, Mississippi• Canadian Air Force in WWI• University of Mississippi• New Orleans --> newspaper articles

and short stories• Won several literary awards,

including the Nobel Prize for Literature

Faulkner ThemesFaulkner Themes

• The only subject worth writing about:“the problems of the human heart in conflict with itself which alone can make good writing” (Faulkner 714).

• The only subject worth writing about:“the problems of the human heart in conflict with itself which alone can make good writing” (Faulkner 714).

“Dry September”“Dry September”

• Published as a short story in the collection, These Thirteen with “A Rose for Emily” in 1931.

• Published as a short story in the collection, These Thirteen with “A Rose for Emily” in 1931.

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

• African American slaves were emancipated

• South surrendered to the North in 1865

• Aftermath of Civil War: South was broken - spiritually and economically

• African American slaves were emancipated

• South surrendered to the North in 1865

• Aftermath of Civil War: South was broken - spiritually and economically

Southern Traditions and Mindsets

Southern Traditions and Mindsets

• Gender roles - limiting or liberating?Men: Defender of the helplessWomen: Social butterflies to

homemakers• Emergence of Ku Klux Klan after Civil

War: local enforcement and hate crimes• More Information:http://www.pbs.org/teachers/connect/resources/1095/preview/

• Gender roles - limiting or liberating?Men: Defender of the helplessWomen: Social butterflies to

homemakers• Emergence of Ku Klux Klan after Civil

War: local enforcement and hate crimes• More Information:http://www.pbs.org/teachers/connect/resources/1095/preview/

Life for African Americans

Life for African AmericansFreedom - what freedom?

• Jim Crow Era: oppression and segregation

• Who was Jim Crow? http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/who.htm

• The Scottsboro Case: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_scotts.html

Freedom - what freedom?• Jim Crow Era: oppression and

segregation• Who was Jim Crow?

http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/who.htm

• The Scottsboro Case: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_scotts.html

“Dry September”: Title“Dry September”: Title

• What’s in a name?• What season(s) does September

represent?• Why is it significant that it is a

“dry” September?• Who might be in their “Dry

September”?

• What’s in a name?• What season(s) does September

represent?• Why is it significant that it is a

“dry” September?• Who might be in their “Dry

September”?

“Dry September”: Imagery

“Dry September”: Imagery

• Where do you find imagery (words that appeal to the senses: sight, sound, touch, and smell) in Faulkner’s story?

• What does the imagery suggest about the setting, or location, of the story? How does it set the mood or tone?

• What conclusions can we draw about the inhabitants of Jefferson?

• Where do you find imagery (words that appeal to the senses: sight, sound, touch, and smell) in Faulkner’s story?

• What does the imagery suggest about the setting, or location, of the story? How does it set the mood or tone?

• What conclusions can we draw about the inhabitants of Jefferson?

CharactersCharacters

• Who are the main characters?• How are they described?• Why are they important?

• Who are the main characters?• How are they described?• Why are they important?

GODGOD• Does God appear in the text? If

not, why? • Where is divine order? Are these

characters governed by a higher power?

• Does God appear in the text? If not, why?

• Where is divine order? Are these characters governed by a higher power?

Small Groups: SectionsSmall Groups: Sections• In your small groups, you will examine

one section of the text. • Be prepared to describe what happens

in each section AND highlight important details.

• The details can be repeated words, examples of imagery, irony, significant quotes, etc.

• You must be able to connect every detail to an overall theme in or interpretation of the story.

• In your small groups, you will examine one section of the text.

• Be prepared to describe what happens in each section AND highlight important details.

• The details can be repeated words, examples of imagery, irony, significant quotes, etc.

• You must be able to connect every detail to an overall theme in or interpretation of the story.

SectionsSections

• I: • II: • III: • IV: • V:

• I: • II: • III: • IV: • V:

Write ItWrite It• Choice One: Choose a character and

write a short paragraph about their overall significance in the short story.

• Choice Two: Choose an example or two of imagery and analyze how it reveals a theme in the text. Limit your writing to one short paragraph.

• Choice Three: Discuss the significance of the title, “Dry September” in relation to the story.

• Choice One: Choose a character and write a short paragraph about their overall significance in the short story.

• Choice Two: Choose an example or two of imagery and analyze how it reveals a theme in the text. Limit your writing to one short paragraph.

• Choice Three: Discuss the significance of the title, “Dry September” in relation to the story.

QuestionsQuestions

• Once you finish your paragraph, turn it in with your name so you can receive credit for participation.

• Address any questions to me when you turn in your paragraph.

• Once you finish your paragraph, turn it in with your name so you can receive credit for participation.

• Address any questions to me when you turn in your paragraph.