Southern Gothic Literature

Background Sub-genre of the Gothic style popular in Europe in 1800s Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Dracula by Bram Stoker Unique to American literature Relies on supernatural, ironic, or unusual events Explores/reveals social issues concerning the cultural character of the American South

Background Takes classic Gothic archetypes, such as the monster or the heroic knight, and turns them into American Southerners Twist on Southern characters Southern Belle as town tramp Righteous preacher as pedophile or crook “Grotesque”—what does this really mean? A character whose negative qualities highlight unpleasant aspects in southern culture Something in the town, house, farm is bizarre and often falling apart Things just feel “off” –think “cringe worthy,” but still elicits sympathy

Defining Feature Cast of “off-kilter” characters Broken in some way, either literally or figuratively Symbolize pitfalls/consequences of an unyielding hold on tradition question adherence to established patterns/cultural values “Innocent” as a redeemer

Other Specific Features Freakishness Outsider Imprisonment Violence Sense of Place

Freakishness Character negatively set apart from the world by a disability or oddity Skewed world view

Outsider Characters set apart from the established cultural pattern, but end up being heroes Difference allows enlightened perspective that ultimately helps to bring people out of the “dark”

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

Violence Racial, social, and class differences often create underlying tension, oftentimes, erupting in violently

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

Notable Southern Gothic Lit. Bastard Out of Carolina Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil To Kill a Mockingbird A Streetcar Named Desire “A Rose for Emily”