Southern Gothic So, with what we have read so far, what do you think makes up a Southern gothic tale?

Define, in your own words— sublime & grotesque

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

Empathy Southern Gothic literature is not dry or detached. In fact, it is the authors' use of wit that enables the reader to empathize with the characters. This creation of empathy is of monumental importance, because once the reader is attached to the characters on a personal level, or "hooked", then the criticisms become more apparent.

While often disturbing, Southern Gothic authors commonly use deeply flawed, grotesque characters for greater narrative range and more opportunities to highlight unpleasant aspects of Southern culture, without being too literal or appearing to be overly moralistic.

What is Gothic Literature? The setting is the standard aging, decrepit mansion of all Gothic literature. The protagonist hails from the fading Southern aristocracy, and she's mad as a hatter. Given these ingredients--a crumbling manor house, intimations of failed romance, plenty of swamp atmospherics, remnants of the antebellum-era caste system, insanity, and death.

What is Southern Gothic Literature? The term “Gothic” comes from architecture—it connotes a rough and primitive grandeur. The term “Gothic” comes from architecture—it connotes a rough and primitive grandeur. In general, Gothic fiction is supposed to be dark, full of madness, superstition, and the spirit of revenge. In general, Gothic fiction is supposed to be dark, full of madness, superstition, and the spirit of revenge. In Gothic stories (much like the horror movies of today which descended from them) pity and terror are emotions to be savored for their own sake, as entertainment. In Gothic stories (much like the horror movies of today which descended from them) pity and terror are emotions to be savored for their own sake, as entertainment.

"When I'm asked why Southern writers particularly have a penchant for writing about freaks, I say it's because we are still able to recognize one." -Flannery O'Connor The general characteristics of Southern Gothic fiction are as follows: The general characteristics of Southern Gothic fiction are as follows: Dark, scary setting: an old plantation house is frequently the setting for Southern Gothic stories. The deep dark woods is another favorite “haunt.” Dark, scary setting: an old plantation house is frequently the setting for Southern Gothic stories. The deep dark woods is another favorite “haunt.” Meant to be frightening/disturbing: Southern Gothic writers tend to insert a darker, uglier edge to the scare most Gothic readers seek. Meant to be frightening/disturbing: Southern Gothic writers tend to insert a darker, uglier edge to the scare most Gothic readers seek. Extremely violent: Southern Gothic fiction relies on physical violence for its punch. Extremely violent: Southern Gothic fiction relies on 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 ( ) 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.