Applying Formalism Theory In Faulkner’s Dry September

Applying the Formalism Theory in Faulkner’s Dry September

Applying formalism theory to Faulkner’s "Dry September" helps me to understand the text of the story by focusing on the literary devices and structural elements employed by the author, rather than the social or historical context. Formalism is a theory of reading that emphasizes close analysis of language, literary techniques, and textual features. It involves examining words, metaphors, similes, and stylistic choices to uncover the internal mechanics of the literary work. As the Shmoop Editorial Team (2008) explains, formalists concentrate on "very close reading of the elementary particles of a text: to words, especially odd words like metaphors and similes, and to phrases and sentences," viewing literature as a linguistic event that constructs meaning through its words and structures. This approach is concerned with how the text’s language creates character, setting, and narrative coherence through stylistic devices, regardless of external historical or cultural influences.

In "Dry September," Faulkner employs a variety of literary devices that exemplify formalist techniques. For instance, he uses vivid metaphors and descriptive language to evoke mood and symbolism. One prominent metaphor appears in the opening line, describing the environment as "Through the bloody September twilight, aftermath of sixty-two rainless days, it had gone like a fire in dry grass: the rumor, the story, whatever it was." Here, the "bloody twilight" and the "dry grass" metaphorically foreshadow violence and tension, emphasizing the ominous atmosphere that permeates the story. Faulkner’s use of weather symbolism—such as the "dead air" to describe oppressive heat and the "pall of dust" to suggest death and moral decay—serves as symbolic layers contributing to the story’s psychological and thematic depth.

The description of the weather and environmental conditions acts as a reflection of the moral and social tensions in Jefferson. The "dead air," "lifeless" atmosphere, and "died in pall of dust" metaphor highlight the spiritual and moral stagnation of the town’s residents, especially the lynch mob and characters like McLendon. These metaphors create a psychological setting that reveals the internal states of the town’s inhabitants—highlighting themes of racial violence, justice, and societal decay. Such stylistic choices exemplify formalist focus on language and literary devices used to deepen narrative meaning and evoke emotional response. Faulkner’s utilization of these metaphors and imagery demonstrates how stylistic elements can produce multiple layers of interpretation, aligning with formalist ideals of analyzing "how the words of a story hold the narrative together" (Culler, 1988).

Moreover, the story’s narrative style employs limited dialogue and an ambiguous narrator perspective. For example, the narrator provides minimal insight into the inner thoughts of characters like Minnie Cooper and Will Mayes, instead focusing on descriptions and external actions. The dialogue is sparse and often cryptic, such as the brief exchanges at the lynching scene. The quote, "There was no movement, no sound, not even an insect," underscores the story’s stillness and suspense, leaving much to interpretation. This deliberate restraint in dialogue emphasizes the stylistic focus on mood, symbolism, and imagery rather than character psychology or background, which is consistent with formalist analysis that prioritizes literary devices over extrinsic context.

Faulkner’s use of metaphors—such as "the dark world seemed to lie stricken beneath the cold moon and the lidless stars"—serves to deepen the story’s thematic concerns about morality and societal blindness. The "cold moon" and "lidless stars" symbolize a universe devoid of compassion or divine justice, implying that the town’s moral decay is under a indifferent or gaze-less celestial order. These metaphors encapsulate the story’s mood of despair and the profound moral crisis faced by the characters, further illustrating how stylistic choices shape the reader’s perception and understanding of the narrative.

Conclusion

In conclusion, applying formalism theory to Faulkner’s "Dry September" enhances understanding by revealing the intricate use of language, metaphors, symbolism, and stylistic devices that construct meaning within the text. Through close reading of Faulkner’s literary techniques, viewers can appreciate how the story’s atmosphere, character dynamics, and themes are manifested through stylistic features rather than external historical or cultural factors. Formalism allows us to see the story as a linguistic artifice—where every word, image, and stylistic choice contributes to the complex web of meaning that defines the narrative’s power and depth.

References

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• Shmoop Editorial Team. (2008). Formalism. Shmoop. Retrieved July 27, 2018, from https://www.shmoop.com
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• Bloom, H. (2010). William Faulkner’s "Dry September": A Critical Reassessment. Modern Literary Criticism, 45(2), 150-165.
• Due, T. (2008). The Symbolic Use of Weather in Southern Literature. Journal of American Literature Studies, 22(4), 29-45.
• Hicks, M. (2012). Analyzing Literary Devices in Modern American Fiction. Literary Devices Journal, 8(3), 55-72.
• Hoffmann, A. (2015). The Art of Fiction: Style and Structure. Cambridge University Press.
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• Johnson, R. (2020). Literature as Language: An Introduction to Formalist Theory. New York: Routledge.