While writers have the capacity to invent whole new worlds, they are human beings who are influenced by their environment. Regional writers are those who use specific geographical areas – usually their home turf- as settings. REGIONALISM

Yet, regionalists do more than simply set their fiction in familiar locales; they incorporate the distinct culture of an area, including characteristic speech patterns, customs, beliefs, history, and folklore into the very fabric of their stories. It enables readers to get a sense of place as well as a sense of time and humanity. REGIONALISM

Regionalism: or local color refers to fiction or poetry that focuses on specific features – including characters, dialects, customs, history, and topography – of a particular region Diction: author's choice of words, taking into account correctness, clearness, and effectiveness. Dialect: the language of a particular district, class, or group of persons. TERMS

Diction vs. Dialect: Deciding How to Characterize Your Characters A writer basically has two options when it comes to characterizing their characters in the way they speak; diction and dialect. Diction is the way in which a character says something; in particular, their grammar, word choice, and the way they express themselves. Dialect is how they pronounce their words. DICTION VERSUS DIALECT

“American literature has traversed an extended, winding path from pre-colonial days to contemporary times. Society, history, technology all have had telling impact on it. Ultimately, though, there is a constant -- humanity, with all its radiance and its malevolence, its tradition and its promise.” regionalism.php

Flannery O'Connor Author (1925–1964) Flannery O'Connor is considered one of the best short story authors of the 20th century. She wrote about religious themes and southern life. FLANNERY O’CONNOR

Born on March 25, 1925, in Savannah, Georgia, Flannery O'Connor is considered one of the greatest short story writers of the 20th century. She faced some hardships growing up, losing her father as a teenager; he died of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. This results in symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, and damage to joints, skin, kidneys, blood, the heart, and lungs.

Early on, Flannery O'Connor demonstrated her literary talents for school publications. Studying at what is now the University of Iowa for a master's degree, O'Connor's first story, "The Geranium," was published in She had also begun what was to be first novel, Wise Blood, published in FLANNERY O’CONNOR

After graduating in 1947, Flannery O'Connor pursued her writing. Her work was influenced by her experiences growing up as a Catholic in the South. Religion was a recurring theme in her work, and the main characters of her first and second novels were preachers of sorts. FLANNERY O’CONNOR

After battling lupus, an autoimmune disease, for more than a decade, Flannery O'Connor died on August 3, 1964, in Milledgeville, Georgia. For her work, she received many honors, including an O. Henry Award in 1957 and the National Book Award in FLANNERY O’CONNOR

O’Connor knew she would probably die young, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying life with her family and friends. She did, however, feel a bond with those who suffered, or were considered outcasts. Please turn to page 879. FLANNERY O’CONNOR

A key element in gothic literature, the grotesque character is one who has become bizarre, usually through an obsession. A grotesque character may be obsessed with an idea, a value or an assumption. Typically, grotesque characters are one-dimensional and possess one or more exaggerated personality traits. GROTESQUE CHARACTERS

Many of O’Connor’s characters, including those in the story you are about to read, can be considered grotesque. Notice how O’Connor uses these bizarre characters to communicate a universal message. GROTESQUE CHARACTERS

SOUTHERN GOTHIC Customary setting because it’s the source of values not necessarily welcome in the rest of the country Poe was the first Southern gothic writer Common themes: race, alienation, sense of “otherness” ery.com/images/Southern%2 0Plantation.jpg