spends nearly every day. In fact, Faulkner uses a decent amount of the story's text to provide the reader with background information on Minnie Cooper, something he does not do with any of the other characters, some of whom are not even named. This should clue you in that Minnie Cooper might be the story's main character.

It is also possible to argue that the barber is the main character. He is the central figure in most of the action of the story with alternating sections told from his point of view. However, Minnie Cooper is the catalyst for the events of the story and occupies a central role in it. In that sense, if you have to choose just one main character, I would say it would be her.

Miss Minnie Cooper, the supposed victim of William Faulkner's short story, "Dry September," should probably be considered the main character of this racially-charged tale of deceit and murder. There are three other major characters: the actual victim, Will Mayes; the former war hero, John McLendon; and the barber, Hawkshaw. All of them feature prominently, but most of the story revolves around the spinster Cooper and her accusation of misconduct against the African-American Mayes. Although Faulkner never specifically informs the reader whether Miss Minnie's accusation is true, we are led to believe (and most of the town believes) that it is a fabrication.