American Southern Literature

Southern Literature “ ‘Southern literature’ announces the conjunction of the U.S. South and an expressive art—texts identified as belonging to a particular history, social organization, and cultural imaginary”

Purpose One of the integral aspects of southern culture and tradition, is of its colorful literature and storytelling. Common themes of southern writers include: significant familial relationships and realistic characters. Writers in the South also had a sense of historic background and a unique way of life worth writing about.

Influences in Southern Writing Slavery Slavery Civil War Civil War Segregation Segregation Revolution in culture Revolution in culture Poverty Poverty Military/ War Military/ War

Elements of Southern Writing Style Dialect Writing Not used often in other writings because it is viewed as condescending to the race or ethnicity being portrayed. Not used often in other writings because it is viewed as condescending to the race or ethnicity being portrayed. Popular in Southern writing and incorporates local speech and patterns i.e. ain’t, y’all etc. and misspelling of words to display meaning i.e. yuh (you) and lak (like) Popular in Southern writing and incorporates local speech and patterns i.e. ain’t, y’all etc. and misspelling of words to display meaning i.e. yuh (you) and lak (like)

Dialect Writing Cont. Examples of books with dialect writing: Tom Sawyer Tom Sawyer To Kill a Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird Their Eyes Were Watching God Their Eyes Were Watching God Huck Finn Huck Finn The Color Purple The Color Purple

Examples of Dialect Writing Excerpts from Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston Excerpts from Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston "At dat she ain't so ole as some of y'all dat's talking." "She ain't even worth talkin' after," Lulu Moss drawled through her nose. "She sits high, but she looks low. Dat's what Ah say 'bout dese ole women runnin' after young boys."

Common Themes Chivalry This theme reflected southern culture where women were treated with respect and were delicate flowers to be doted upon This theme reflected southern culture where women were treated with respect and were delicate flowers to be doted upon

Themes Continued Values and Morals Many values and morals in Southern literature are a result of a strong Christian influence Many values and morals in Southern literature are a result of a strong Christian influence Family values are also very prominent. Usually this theme is presented from a traditional standpoint. Family values are also very prominent. Usually this theme is presented from a traditional standpoint.

A Writing Culture “the South, perhaps more than any other region, we go back to our home in dreams and memories, hoping it remains what it was on a lazy, still summer's day twenty years ago” “the South, perhaps more than any other region, we go back to our home in dreams and memories, hoping it remains what it was on a lazy, still summer's day twenty years ago” - Willie Morris

Southern Poetry “Like our folks, poetry here is hillbilly and gentry, down- home and intellectual, neighborly and reclusive, generous and vengeful—like folks everywhere, I guess—but with a more colorful vernacular and hand-rubbed vowels.” —Wendy Carlisle Southern Poetry was often written by men. Some talented southern poets include: Edgar Allen Poe, Sidney Lanier, James Weldon Johnson, John Crowe Ransom and many more.

Southern Gothic Writing “Southern gothic, a genre of the American South, retreats from the dark castles and clanking chains of 19th-century European literature to embrace the moody romance, mystery, terror, and grotesqueries” “Southern gothic, a genre of the American South, retreats from the dark castles and clanking chains of 19th-century European literature to embrace the moody romance, mystery, terror, and grotesqueries” Examples: William Faulkner’s “A Rose For Mary”, and novels by Eudora Welty. Examples: William Faulkner’s “A Rose For Mary”, and novels by Eudora Welty.

Great Southern Novels To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison The Color Purple by Alice Walker The Color Purple by Alice Walker Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell In Cold Blood by Truman Capote In Cold Blood by Truman Capote The Mind of The South by Wilbur Cash The Mind of The South by Wilbur Cash

Great Southern Writers There are numerous famous Southern authors. Each person had different life experiences, thus they wrote and included varying themes in their books. Themes vary from reader to reader but prominent ones in Southern works include: injustice, prejudice, standing up for your beliefs and many more.

William Faulkner Many say William’s short stories resembled his life. They included struggles with rage, alcoholism, and adultery. Each of these hardships were sadly common in Southern America during the 1920s through 1950s and even today. His works were famous in the South and encouraged many more Southern novels.

Flannery O’Connor Religion was a key factor in her life and thus reflected in her writing. She devout Roman Catholic but many of the characters in her books were Protestant. “It was her observation that Protestants expressed their faith through dramatic action, something she did not see in Catholics”

Impact of Southern Writing on The Literary World With the arousal of Southern literature came a new more authentic style of writing. They went against the grain by using small town issues and “average joe” dialect that made “their” South come to life. Many novels also aided in awareness on issues like racism and poverty. With the unassuming grace of the great South these authors have enlightened us on a culture filled with romanticism and family values.