"That evening sun" by William Faulkner

William Faulkner's story "That evening sun" is a dark portrait of white Southerners' indifference to the crippling fears of one of their black employees. It is also an exploration of terror, vengeance and solitude. Nancy, the main character in the story, is a typical African-American woman, "she was tall, with a high, sad face sunken a little where her teeth were missing." Nancy is obviously high, and when the police are taking her away, she …

…in the society. This can be clearly seen in the treatment she receives from the white men in town. Ironically, though she is a grown woman, Nancy clings to the Compson children to protect her from the violence she fears. She knows that her husband will not dare to hurt her when the children are around because they are white. The story is curiously split between the innocent squabbling of the children and Nancy's desperation.