Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- OK, we know it's dark and dusty when Hawkshaw sees McLendon pass. We are told that there are only four men in the car at this point in the story. Does Hawkshaw see the men (with some kind of super-vision) or is this the narrator talking? Take a look at Part 3, Paragraph 34, to answer this one. Is this issue important? Why or why not?
- If you've read the Faulkner short story " A Rose for Emily," do you see any similarities between the two stories? If so, what are they? How are the characters of Minnie Cooper and Emily Grierson similar or different?
- Does McLendon have any redeeming qualities in the story? Can we find a point of sympathy with him? Why or why not?
- Do you think Will was killed by McLendon and the other men? Why or why not?
- Why does Hawkshaw jump from the car? How do you know? What does this tell us about his character?
- If you've read Harper Lee's famous novel To Kill A Mockingbird do you see any connection to "Dry September"? How does Will Mayes compare with the character of Thomas Robinson? How does Minnie Cooper compare to Mayella Ewell?