While William Faulkner's "Dry September- and "A Rose for Emily- share little in the way of plot or setting, the stories share a common point of view on the question of human nature. The reaction of both protagonists to their inner insecurities and doubts is not to share them with others, but rather to hide them under an outer show of strength. .
Miss Emily, the title character of "A Rose for Emily,"" demonstrates this strength in her determination to keep her house and life unchanged, whereas McLendon, in "Dry September,"" shows a menacing physical appearance; however, in both cases we detect this strength before the characters have spoken a single word. The first description of Emily's house shows Emily's displeasure with the changes that have occurred around her: "It is a big, squarish frame house that has once been white set on what had once been our most select street Only Miss Emily's house was left, lifting its stubborn and coquettish decay above the cotton wagons and the gasoline pumps."" The discrepancy between Emily's house and her surroundings makes clear that Emily lives in a world of her own. While others repaint their houses, or move to other districts, Emily refuses to follow the crowd.
McLendon's strength is primarily physical. As the townspeople argue over the question of whether William, an African-American man, has raped Minnie, commonly considered the best-looking white woman in town, McLendon crashes open the door and enters the barber shop: "A man stood in the floor, his feet apart and his heavy-set body poised easily His hot, bold glance swept the group."" Before he has said a word, the atmosphere has become charged with a physical menace. A typical soldier, he does not mince words, reacting quickly and explosively to the third barber's doubts: "Happen? What the hell difference does it make? Are you going to let the black sons get away with it until one really does it?- McLendon firmly believes the racial stereotype that black men uncontrollably desire white women, using vehement language ("hell- and "black sons-) to intimidate others into agreement.
