Southern Southern GothicGothic

So, with what So, with what we have read we have read

so far, what do so far, what do you think you think

makes up a makes up a Southern Southern

gothic tale?gothic tale?

Define, in your Define, in your own words—own words—

sublimesublime& grotesque& grotesque

SublimeSublime--Characterized by nobility; majestic. Characterized by nobility; majestic. Of high spiritual, moral, or intellectual worth. Of high spiritual, moral, or intellectual worth. Not to be excelled; supreme. Not to be excelled; supreme. Inspiring awe; impressive. Inspiring awe; impressive.

GrotesqueGrotesque--Characterized by ludicrous or incongruous distortion, Characterized by ludicrous or incongruous distortion, as of appearance or manner. as of appearance or manner. Outlandish or bizarre, as in character or appearance. Outlandish or bizarre, as in character or appearance. Of, relating to, or being the grotesque style in art or a Of, relating to, or being the grotesque style in art or a work executed in this style. work executed in this style.

When you cross the sweeping drama of romance with the macabre isolation of

small town life—and then throw in a touch of Southern whimsy—you've cooked up a

collection of American literature absolutely unique in time, place and sentiment.

The Southern gothic.

Characters of Southern Gothic

One of the defining features of southern gothic is the cast of off-kilter

characters, many of whom are "not right in the head."

The genre is riddled with many broken bodies, and even more broken souls. When southern gothic authors examine the human condition, they

see the potential to do harm. Morality is in question for many characters.

EmpathyEmpathy

Southern Gothic literature is not dry Southern Gothic literature is not dry or detached. In fact, it is the authors' or detached. In fact, it is the authors'

use of use of witwit that enables the that enables thereader to reader to empathize with the empathize with the

characterscharacters. This creation of empathy . This creation of empathy is of monumental importance, is of monumental importance,

becausebecauseonce the reader is attached to the once the reader is attached to the characters on a personal level, or characters on a personal level, or

"hooked", then the criticisms "hooked", then the criticisms becomebecome

more apparent.more apparent.

While often disturbing, Southern Gothic authors While often disturbing, Southern Gothic authors commonly use commonly use deeply flawed, grotesque deeply flawed, grotesque

characterscharacters for greater narrative range and for greater narrative range and more opportunities to highlight unpleasant more opportunities to highlight unpleasant

aspects of Southern culture, without being too aspects of Southern culture, without being too literal or appearing to be overly moralistic.literal or appearing to be overly moralistic.

What is Gothic What is Gothic Literature?Literature?

The The settingsetting is the standard aging, decrepit is the standard aging, decrepit mansion of all Gothic literature. The mansion of all Gothic literature. The

protagonistprotagonist hails from the fading hails from the fading Southern aristocracy, and she's mad as a Southern aristocracy, and she's mad as a

hatter. Given these ingredients--a crumbling hatter. Given these ingredients--a crumbling manor house, intimations of failed romance, manor house, intimations of failed romance, plenty of swamp atmospherics, remnants of plenty of swamp atmospherics, remnants of the antebellum-era caste system, insanity, the antebellum-era caste system, insanity,

and death.and death.

What is Southern Gothic What is Southern Gothic Literature?Literature?

The term “Gothic” comes from architecture—it The term “Gothic” comes from architecture—it connotes a rough and primitive grandeur. connotes a rough and primitive grandeur.

In general, Gothic fiction is supposed to be In general, Gothic fiction is supposed to be dark, full of madness, superstition, and the dark, full of madness, superstition, and the spirit of revenge.spirit of revenge.

In Gothic stories (much like the horror movies In Gothic stories (much like the horror movies of today which descended from them) pity and of today which descended from them) pity and terror are emotions to be savored for their own terror are emotions to be savored for their own sake, as entertainment. sake, as entertainment.

"When I'm asked why Southern writers "When I'm asked why Southern writers particularly have a penchant for writing about particularly have a penchant for writing about freaks, I say it's because we are still able to freaks, I say it's because we are still able to

recognize one." recognize one." -Flannery O'Connor -Flannery O'Connor

The general characteristics of Southern Gothic fiction are as The general characteristics of Southern Gothic fiction are as follows:follows: Dark, scary setting: an old plantation house is frequently Dark, scary setting: an old plantation house is frequently

the setting for Southern Gothic stories. The deep dark the setting for Southern Gothic stories. The deep dark woods is another favorite “haunt.” woods is another favorite “haunt.”

Meant to be frightening/disturbing: Southern Gothic Meant to be frightening/disturbing: Southern Gothic writers tend to insert a darker, uglier edge to the scare writers tend to insert a darker, uglier edge to the scare most Gothic readers seek. most Gothic readers seek.

Extremely violent: Southern Gothic fiction relies on Extremely violent: Southern Gothic fiction relies on physical violence for its punch. physical violence for its punch.

Who's the Real Misfit?

ENH 111 “A Good Man is Hard to Find”

First – a journal, choose one quote to explore!

• All my stories are about the action of grace on a character who is not very willing to support it, but most people think of these stories as hard, hopeless and brutal.

• Faith is what someone knows to be true, whether they believe it or not.

• I am not afraid that the book will be controversial, I'm afraid it will not be controversial.

• The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.

• To expect too much is to have a sentimental view of life and this is a softness that ends in bitterness.

Flannery O’Connor

Known as both a Southern and a Catholic writer,

Flannery O'Connor (1925-1964) wrote stories that are hard to forget. Whether for

their humor, brilliant characterization, local color, or shocking plots, Flannery

O'Connor's short stories, "in which the voices of displaced

persons affirm the grace of God in the grotesqueries of

the world," continue to disturb and resonate. As

O'Connor said herself, her stories "make [her] vision

apparent by shock."

So, when you see the following

signs, what do you think?

• Thoughts?•What is their purpose?

• If it were the 1940s/50s would they

scare you?

Where do we begin?• Today's starting point? Atlanta.

Destination? Florida. Although the family in "A Good Man is Hard to Find" lives in Atlanta, their journey to Florida takes them along the relatively new highways of the 1950s, including rural country roads.

What O’Connor thought:

In general O'Connor explains that she is not so much a realist of the social fabric as a

"realist of distances" (44), portraying both concrete everyday manners and something more, something beyond the ordinary: "It is the business of fiction to embody mystery

through manners . . ." (124). She admits too that her fiction might be called grotesque, though she cautions that "anything that

comes out of the South is going to be called grotesque by the northern reader, unless it is grotesque, in which case it is going to be

called realistic" (40).

“A Good Man is Hard to Find”page 1796

What you need to look for:

• Faith and Grace • Good versus Evil • Dysfunction: The notion of the

unhealthy family • Southern Tradition

•Find 5 examples for each of the theme topics.