1. Southern Gothic Literature

2. Southern Gothic Genre
Gothic literature originated in 18th century England
Early gothic writers used the genre in part to criticize what they saw as the moral blindness of the medieval era
Similarly, Southern Gothic writers deal with their own past in their stories
Many of the most notable writers of the 20th century wrote in the Southern Gothic tradition

3. Characteristics of the Genre
General characteristics: Supernatural elements, mental disease, and the grotesque
However, in the Southern tradition, one sees less of the supernatural and more focus on disturbed personalities (eg. Abner Snopes)
Southern Gothic is known for its damaged and delusional characters.
The genre also deals with the plight of those who are ostracized or oppressed in traditional Southern culture—blacks, women, gays.

4. Examples of the genre
To Kill a Mockingbird—a clearly innocent black man is convicted or rape and murdered simply because of his race.
A Streetcar Named Desire—reinvents the Southern Belle as a pretentious, mentally unstable woman
“A Rose for Emily”—brings the recurrent Gothic theme of unrequited love leading to madness
Other notable writers of the genre: Truman Capote, Flannery O’ Connor, Eudora Welty, Carson McCullers.