Southern Gothic Literature Background Subgenre of the Gothic

Southern Gothic Literature

Background Ø Sub-genre of the Gothic style Ø Popular in Europe in 1800 s Ø Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Ø Dracula by Bram Stoker Ø Unique to American literature Ø relies on supernatural, ironic, or unusual events to guide the plot Ø explores and reveals social issues concerning the cultural character of the American South.

Background Ø Takes classic Gothic archetypes, such as the monster or the heroic knight, and turns them into American Southerners Ø Dark twist on southern characters Ø Southern belle as town tramp Ø Righteous preacher as pedophile Ø “grotesque” Ø a character whose negative qualities allow the author to highlight unpleasant aspects in southern culture. Ø Something in the town, the house, the farm is bizarre and often falling apart

Defining Feature Ø Cast of ‘off-kilter’ characters Ø Broken bodies, minds, or souls Ø symbolizes problems created by the established pattern Ø questions established pattern’s morality and ethical justification Ø “Innocent” as common character, who may or may not be “broken, ” but who often acts as a redeemer for others

Other Specific Features Ø Freakishness Ø Outsider Ø Imprisonment Ø Violence Ø Sense of Place

Freakishness Ø In most Southern Gothic stories, there is an important character who is set apart from the world by in a negative way by a disability or an odd, and often negative way of seeing the world.

Outsider Ø characters are set a part from the established cultural pattern, but end up being heroes Ø difference allows them to see new ways of doing things that ultimately help to bring people out of the “dark. ”

Imprisonment Both literal and figurative Ø Often includes incident where a character is sent to jail or imprisoned Ø Some characters live in fate's prison.

Violence Ø Racial, social, and class differences often create underlying tension, oftentimes erupting in violent ways

Sense of Place Ø Clear depiction of rural southern setting Ø Old small towns Ø Creaky front porches with rocking chairs Ø Old downtown with stately but worn-down buildings

Notable Southern Gothic Lit. Ø As I Lay Dying Ø Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil Ø To Kill a Mockingbird Ø Streetcar Named Desire Ø A Rose for Emily