Southern Gothic Literature

Outline of the study

This paper starts with the introduction of the nineteenth century American South, history of the region, its literature and music. The introduction is followed by the description and history of the twelfth century Gothic Art, its characteristics and significance in the world of art and literature. Next, the introduction and characteristics of Southern Gothic Literature, followed by the description of “A Good Man is Hard to Find” as a gothic piece of literature. Subsequent to this is “Good Country People” portrayal as southern gothic literature, then description of “A Rose for Emily” as a classic example of southern gothic literature. The findings are summed up in the conclusion, highlighting the significant points.

Research Questions

The research questions are as follows:

What are the defining characteristics of southern gothic literature?

How does “A Good Man is Hard to Find” qualify as southern gothic literature?

How does “Good Country People” qualify as southern gothic literature?

How does “A Rose for Emily” qualify as southern gothic literature?

Introduction to American South until the Nineteenth Century

South America is one of the most important and interesting country. Although it is true that this region has also extended much further and has become known worldwide not only for literature but also for their music and by certain social processes. However, just over the mid-nineteenth century, black slavery allowed in there. Ships from Africa came into port in the southern United States, landing people who uprooted from their land and their families and then went to be sold to begin a life of slavery (Walls, pp. 43). A typical image of the American South and that are an image that spread to this day in the movies the black slaves working in harsh conditions in the cotton plantations. And from here is to raise something else: the fact that strong (albeit forced) black immigration in the country, brought very important cultural changes. Blacks brought their customs, religious beliefs, music, and so little by little began to influence American culture to such an extent that can be said, that the contribution of black culture in the twentieth century is invaluable, especially in the musical aspect. Hence the blues and jazz, for example, and that's a panorama of artistic experimentation that broadcast worldwide. Blacks had to endure, apart from forced labor, humiliation of all kinds. Their religious beliefs (considered pagan) opposed, and their patterns of coexistence mocked. It was usual to kill slaves who could read and secretly taught to others. The American South was basically agriculture based economic model, and in many ways reminiscent of the feudal model, as an aristocratic family, centered on a male presence, father, lived in a large house surrounded by plantations on which slaves worked. This, therefore, is reminiscent of the relationship between the feudal lord and his subjects, characteristic of the Middle Ages (Petry, pp. 52).

The situation of slavery ended with the American Civil War. At the same faced by the Northern states (the Union) against the southern states (the Confederacy, originally ...