Southern Gothic Literature
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Strayer University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
ILR260
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Nov 24, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
7
Uploaded by muntahajunaid409
Introduction to Southern Gothic Literature
Southern Gothic is a distinct genre of Gothic literature exclusive to the southern region of
the United States. The subject matter of South Gothic literature includes mortality, strangeness,
violence, insanity, and the enigmatic. The emergence of South Gothic emerged during the early
1900s. Most Southern authors expressed their anxieties and reflections on the South's values and
way of life through the Southern Gothic style (Lloyd 13). In their terrifying tales, Southern
Gothic authors employed twisted imagery, individuals who were being observed, and classified
confidential information. When these events transpired simultaneously, individuals were both
repulsed and terrified. This article will compare and contrast "Good Country People" by
Flannery O'Connor, "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner, and "A Good Man Is Hard to
Find" by Flannery O'Connor.
Definition, Background, and Overview of South Gothic Literature
South Gothic literature reflects the thought processes and lifestyle of individuals residing
in the American South by merging gothic motifs with elements of magical realism. This genre of
writing revolves around macabre subjects such as murder, death, and others (Lloyd 18). Despite
employing terrifying parts, Southern Gothic authors lacked diligence in crafting captivating and
fascinating narratives. The rudeness prevalent among the American South populace was
precisely what the authors wished to investigate. Southern Gothic literature significantly
influenced the region's religion, commerce, and society as early as the twentieth century. This is
a crucial point to bear in mind. Upon perusing Southern Gothic tales, one is transported to
otherworldly realms. Gothic fiction, including William Faulkner's works, matured during the
20th century and peaked in the mid-20th century. Southern Gothic originated during the
nineteenth century. Readings by Flannery O'Connor and William Faulkner ought to be the initial
stop for anyone interested in studying Southern society and culture.
“A Rose for Emily”
The narrative authored by William Faulkner is titled "A Rose for Emily." The narrative's different elements exemplify the characteristics of a Southern Gothic story. These sections include Emily's description of her home, the poison she purchased, and the story's conclusion. The narrative "A Rose for Emily" is in a southern village. Like gothic literature reflects Emily's deterioration, the Victorian household does the same. Emily is an abhorrent individual who evokes pity in the reader. It remains a secret that Emily's spouse was murdered. As the narrative implies, Emily has remained confined to her residence ever since the demise of her spouse. Emily, an unmarried woman grappling with mental health challenges, transformed the troubled protagonist archetype into the narrative's central figure (Gray 26). Emily, the protagonist, was formerly a young, affluent woman who shared a household with her father. By the narrative's conclusion, she has reached an advanced age and resides alone in a dilapidated dwelling. The author describes Emily as peculiar and lonely. Author Faulkner compared Emily to a living corpse. Individuals are kept on the verge of their seats by this assertion.The story states that Emily refuses to acknowledge her father's demise and prohibits anyone from entering her home to retrieve his remains. An essential element of Southern Gothic fiction is the unsettling effect Emily's demeanor has on the reader. It has been said that Emily's residence is more expansive, damp, vacant, and replete with concealed areas. Emily's place appears to be from an alternate era. Simultaneously vacant is her residence, mirroring Emily herself. The description of Emily's home is crucial in Southern Gothic literature.
Another element of Southern Gothic fiction can be found in William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily": Emily purchases poison. Due to the South Gothic style in which the story is written, this section stands out. Poison is a highly lethal substance. In the novel, Emily's poison purchase creates a dreadful atmosphere and gives the impression that something terrible is about to occur. Emily purchased the poison for a specific cause (Kong 34). On the other hand, Emily's silence regarding why she bought the poison indicates something is amiss. Due to her elevated social standing, Emily is exempt from explaining her poison purchase from the druggist. The procurement of poison described in the book is currently producing appalling results.
Another element that shows the story is based on Southern Gothic literature is the ending.
Emily's secret that she has been hiding the body of her dead husband is revealed at the book's end. Emily killed her husband so that she could keep him. She also killed her husband to hold on to some parts of the past. At the end of the story, the dead person's body is found in Emily's bed (Nichols 154). A piece of her hair is also on the pillow beside her body. Emily and the dead body had shared a bed. The story of "A Rose for Emily" was influenced by Southern Gothic literature.
Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man is Hard to Find”
Flannery O'Connor's "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" is essential to Southern Gothic literature. The author utilizes numerous elements that are typical of Southern Gothic tales. An initial characteristic distinguishing Southern Gothic literature is its utilization of horrific events. The reader is shocked by these occurrences. These events are given names in the narrative because various forms of violence occur regularly. The matriarch persuades the family to travel to Tennessee rather than Florida at the outset of the report. She informed her family that the notorious inmate Misfit had escaped and was en route to Florida. The reader is taken aback by the Misfit's eloquence and malice in speech.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
O'Connor employs negative Southern stereotypes to discuss another element of Southern Gothic literature. The grandmother represents an older woman from the South in the narrative. The grandmother cannot escape the past but refuses to acknowledge its veracity. She is a woman who is seriously concerned about her appearance. For instance, the grandmother ensured that she
was appropriately attired for a car journey so that "anyone observing her corpse on the highway in the event of an accident would immediately recognize her as a lady" (Obiols Roca 36). Grandma exhibits egotistical tendencies as she prioritizes her safety above that of her family. She
never acknowledges her egocentrism, dishonesty, or hypocrisy. Notwithstanding his abhorrent murderous nature, Misfit imparted spiritual and moral counsel. He realizes that he is not superior
to others after conducting an in-depth analysis of his existence. Misfit states, "I may not be a good man, but I am not the worst in the world either" (Obiols Roca 45). This contrasts with the grandmother, who believes she is superior to everyone despite her evil deeds. Morality is demonstrated by Misfit's decision to murder his self-centered and insane grandmother. The author employed a metaphor involving the grandmother to elucidate, critique, and bring attention
to the ideals that characterized the old American South.
An additional important element is the application of irony. Despite recommending the family spend their vacation in Florida, the grandmother insisted they travel to Tennessee instead. She states that she desires to protect her children from the antagonist. Upon instructing the family to alter their course, the matriarch promptly guides them to Misfit. When the grandmother
discovers that Misfit intends to murder her, she pleads him to stop being cruel. "You've got good blood!" she exclaims, "I'm certain you'd never shoot a woman!" (Obiols Roca 21).
Flannery O’Connor’s “Good Country People”
Flannery O'Connor created Southern Gothic literature's "Good Country People" narrative.
This story contains two elements characteristic of Southern Gothic literature: irony and class distinctions. The absurdity is evident in the behavior of the characters in this story. Mrs. Hopewell does not exemplify the qualities of a decent country person in this instance. Mrs. Hopewell exhibits hypocrisy due to her excessive preoccupation with her social status (Foss 36). Social distinctions are present in the narrative because it concerns a tenant farmer and a landlord.
A significant social divide may result from one family member attending education while the other does not.
Another element that gives a story about Southern Gothic traits is strange things that happen. In her report, O'Connor makes up Joy/Hulga as a crazy murderer, a fraud, and an intelligent slacker. Joy is a rude woman, even though she has a Ph.D. After losing a leg, she talks about the horrible things that happened and how she became a serial killer. Her mother and she don't get along, and she has a fake limb (Hani 342). When Hulga talks to her mother, she changes
her name, stomps on her mechanical leg, and starts dressing badly to make herself look bad. Hulga is sad, immature, immature, and condescending all at the same time.
"Good Country People" also incorporates the Southern Gothic element of conflict. Hulga,
an individual convinced she is superior to all others, symbolizes the discord within O'Connor's novel. Hulga's attempt to seduce Pointer, a Bible vendor, destroys his faith and influences him to abandon all convictions in favor of her own (Gurney 197). Despite the general perception that Hulga is superior to all others, her dependence on Manly is contentious because she is paralyzed in one limb.
Conclusion
In the South, Gothic literature is known for exploring many elements, including the supernatural, mental illness, violence, the strange, and death. Some Southern Gothic elements in "A Rose for Emily" can be seen in how vividly the author describes Emily's home, how she gets poisoned, and how the story ends. The use of grotesque events and humor are two of the most essential gothic elements in "A Good Man is Hard to Find" and "Good Country People."
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
References
Foss, Jerome C. "The Contemplative Mentality in Flannery O’Connor’s “Good Country People”." Catholic Social Science Review, vol. 22, 2017, pp. 237-247.
Gray, Richard. "Inside the Dark House: William Faulkner, Absalom, Absalom! and Southern Gothic." The Palgrave Handbook of the Southern Gothic, 2016, pp. 21-40.
Gurney, A. R. "Good Country People” by Flannery O’Connor." Why I Like This Story, 2019, pp.
195-201.
Hani, Mohamad. "Analysis of Social Problem in a Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor." English Community Journal, vol. 3, no. 1, 2019, p. 342.
Kong, Fanting. "The Absence of the Rose the Symbolic Meaning of "Rose" in William Faulkner's A Rose for Emily." Proceedings of the 2016 International Conference on Contemporary Education, Social Sciences and Humanities, 2016.
Lloyd, Christopher. "Southern Gothic." American Gothic Culture, 2016.
Nichols, Kenneth. "Case Study #1: A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner." Public Voices, vol. 13, no. 1, 2016, p. 150.
Obiols Roca, Adriana, and Peter Schmidt. "Lesson Plan for Teaching Flannery O'Connor's "A
Good Man Is Hard to Find"." 2019.