William Faulkner's "Dry September" depicts a view of Southern society that is to say the least a bit disturbing. The characters of Jefferson are struggling with the oppressive weight of frustration, a frustration that presses down on every aspect of their lives. It is a frustration that Faulkner portrays as unending in Southern society.
             Faulkner uses four characters to portray the frustration that probably exists in many small Southern towns. He begins with the character Hawkshaw, the barber. His profession is an icon in everyday life of small towns. In Jefferson he carries a lot more responsibility, he is the only voice of reason in a town on the verge of disaster. When the men of town decide to seek out Will Mayes to demonstrate their white supremacy, Hawkshaw is the only exception. He represents how society should behave. He denounces Will's involvement and calls for the law to handle the matter. He calls for the truth. But Hawkshaw is merely one against many and cannot change what is to occur. His frustrated voice is drowned out by prejudice and racism.
             The next character Faulkner addresses is Minnie Cooper. Her frustration is the result of the South's view of women. Her 'failure' to marry has removed her from the infamous Southern pedestal and has placed her in society's circle of misbegotten wretches. She is no longer the 'fine Southern lady' but has been relegated to 'spinster', 'drunk' and 'adulterer'. These are the titles Cooper must now wear, titles given to her by the town she lives in, titles she cannot remove, titles that aggravate her everyday. It is this built up aggravation that causes her to vent her frustration on the only person in this Southern society that is considered lower than she is- Will Mayes.
             Will Mayes is the least developed character in the story. He is simply portrayed as a hard working black man and that&a
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