Southern Gothic Literature

Rachelle Chaykin

10 Apr 201516:23

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video script delves into Southern Gothic literature, highlighting its roots in early 20th-century U.S. and its connection to the gothic style. It features notable authors like Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner, who critiqued Southern society's moral blindness and societal decay. The script discusses the genre's focus on antisocial behaviors against societal expectations, the fragility of social order, and the dark realities beneath the refined surface. It also touches on the broader themes of North-South tensions, the complexities of a changing world order, and the societal constraints placed on women, all wrapped in irony and absurdity reflecting the futility of resisting progress.

Takeaways

📚 Southern Gothic literature is a literary tradition that originated in the early 20th century in the United States, particularly in the Southern states, and is rooted in the gothic style prevalent in European literature of the previous century.
👑 The term 'Southern Gothic' combines the regional identity of the Southern United States with the gothic literary style, which focuses on themes of the macabre, grotesque, supernatural, sinister, and decay.
🎭 Prominent Southern Gothic writers include Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, Carson McCullers, Katherine Anne Porter, Eudora Welty, Walker Percy, and Harper Lee.
🔍 Southern Gothic writers often use gothic conventions to critique society, particularly focusing on the moral blindness of Southerners and the decay of society following the end of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery.
🎨 The style also celebrates some of the quaint features of Southern life, appreciating certain cultural aspects without necessarily mocking them.
👗 Southern Gothic literature explores the rejection of social expectations and the extreme antisocial behaviors that were a reaction against the confining code of social conduct, especially in the context of the post-Civil War South.
🌾 The literature reflects the tensions between the North and South, old ideas versus modernity, and the complexities of a changing world order, including the transition from an agricultural economy based on slave labor to sharecropping.
🏰 It also addresses the disappearing realms of gentility and aristocratic ideals, as seen in characters like Blanche DuBois from 'A Streetcar Named Desire', who struggle with the changing world and the loss of their former lifestyles.
🤔 Southern Gothic often portrays a belief that the refined surface of social order is fragile and illusory, hiding disturbing realities or twisted psyches beneath the polite exterior.
💸 The genre highlights the transition in society from a focus on manners and social class to a focus on money and wealth, reflecting the broader societal changes post-Civil War.
🚫 Southern Gothic literature also examines the rigid social constraints placed on women, the confused understanding of good and evil, and the secrets and revelations about the dark underbelly of people's lives.

Q & A

What is the Southern Gothic literary tradition?
-Southern Gothic is a literary tradition that developed in the early 20th century in the United States, rooted in the gothic style and focusing on themes of the macabre, grotesque, supernatural, sinister, and decay.
Who are Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner, and how are they related to Southern Gothic literature?
-Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner are two of the great Southern Gothic writers. Their works often critique the society in which they lived, focusing on the moral blindness and societal decay of the South.
What are some key characteristics of the Gothic style?
-The Gothic style focuses on elements such as the macabre, the grotesque, the supernatural, the sinister, and a feeling of decay to build suspense and evoke a sense of unease.
How do Southern Gothic writers use the conventions of Gothic literature?
-Southern Gothic writers use the conventions of Gothic literature to critique society, particularly focusing on the moral blindness of Southerners and the decay of the society they lived in.
What is the significance of the term 'moral blindness' in Southern Gothic literature?
-Moral blindness in Southern Gothic literature refers to the selective application of moral standards based on race, social class, and social status, highlighting the hypocrisy and injustices within Southern society.
How did the end of the Civil War impact the South and its literature?
-The end of the Civil War led to the abolition of slavery, which had a profound impact on the South's economy and society. Southern Gothic literature often explores the resulting societal decay and the struggle to adapt to these changes.
What is the concept of 'sharecropping' that emerged after the Civil War?
-Sharecropping was a system where freed slaves were given a small piece of land to work on in exchange for giving the majority of their crop to the landowner. It was a transition from slavery to a form of modified servitude.
How does Southern Gothic literature explore the theme of social expectations and antisocial behaviors?
-Southern Gothic literature often delves into characters who exhibit extreme antisocial behaviors as a reaction against the confining code of social conduct, challenging the rigid expectations placed on individuals by Southern society.
What is the role of Northerners, or 'Carpet Baggers,' in Southern Gothic literature?
-In Southern Gothic literature, Northerners or 'Carpet Baggers' are often portrayed as opportunistic characters who came South to rebuild after the Civil War but were primarily interested in their own fortunes, representing the negative aspects of modernity.
How does Southern Gothic literature address the changing role of women in society?
-Southern Gothic literature highlights the rigid social constraints placed on women, who faced limited options and were often bred to marry and have children, reflecting the societal and economic limitations imposed on women during that era.
What is the significance of irony and absurdity in Southern Gothic literature?
-Irony and absurdity in Southern Gothic literature underscore the futility of trying to stop or reverse the passage of time and societal progress, emphasizing the inevitability of change despite attempts to cling to the past.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Southern Gothic Literature

This paragraph introduces the concept of Southern Gothic literature, highlighting its roots in the early 20th century and its connection to the European Gothic style. It emphasizes the works of Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner as key Southern Gothic writers. The paragraph discusses the use of Gothic elements such as the macabre and supernatural to critique the moral blindness and societal decay in the South, particularly focusing on racial and class disparities. It also mentions other notable Southern Gothic authors and hints at the upcoming release of a new book by Harper Lee, written 50 years prior.

05:03

🎭 Social Critique and Decay in Southern Gothic

The second paragraph delves deeper into the societal critique present in Southern Gothic literature, examining the moral contradictions and the decay of the post-Civil War South. It discusses the shift from an agricultural society sustained by slave labor to a new economic and social order, including the rise of sharecropping. The paragraph also touches on the manners and social expectations of the upper class in the South, as well as the underlying darkness and twisted psyches that the refined surface of society conceals.

10:07

👥 Characters and Themes of Southern Gothic

This paragraph explores the various characters and themes typical of Southern Gothic literature. It discusses the tensions between the North and South, the struggle with modernity, and the changing world order post-Civil War. The paragraph also covers the decline of aristocratic ideals, the rise of opportunistic Northerners known as Carpet Baggers, and the complex social constraints placed on women. It introduces classic Gothic characters such as the reclusive spinster, the town drunk, and the ex-slave, and highlights the use of irony and absurdity to demonstrate the futility of resisting progress.

15:08

🕰 The Inevitability of Change in Southern Gothic

The final paragraph concludes the discussion on Southern Gothic literature by emphasizing the theme of the unstoppable nature of time and progress. It reflects on the Southerners' attempts to cling to their old way of life and the literature's portrayal of the impossibility of reverting to the past. The paragraph invites any questions from the audience and provides contact information, wrapping up the presentation on Southern Gothic literature.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Southern Gothic

Southern Gothic is a literary tradition that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by its focus on the darker aspects of life in the Southern United States. It combines elements of the gothic style, such as the grotesque and supernatural, with a critique of Southern society. The term is integral to the video's theme, as it sets the stage for discussing the works of Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner, who are both considered masters of this genre.

💡Tennessee Williams

Tennessee Williams, a prominent playwright and writer, is known for his contributions to Southern Gothic literature. His works often explore themes of decay, moral ambiguity, and societal critique, as exemplified in plays like 'A Streetcar Named Desire.' In the script, Williams is mentioned as one of the 'Great Southern Gothic writers' whose work is being studied in the class.

💡William Faulkner

William Faulkner is another key figure in Southern Gothic literature, renowned for his novels that delve into the complexities of Southern life and society. His writing is characterized by a deep exploration of the human condition and societal decay, as referenced in the script where he is listed alongside Tennessee Williams as a significant Southern Gothic writer.

💡Gothic Style

The Gothic style is a literary genre that originated in Europe and was later adopted in American literature. It is known for its emphasis on horror, the supernatural, and a sense of decay. In the context of the video, the Gothic style is the precursor to Southern Gothic literature, providing the stylistic elements that Southern Gothic writers adapted to critique and comment on Southern society.

💡Moral Blindness

Moral blindness refers to the selective moral judgment often based on race, social class, or personal biases. In the video, it is highlighted as a key theme in Southern Gothic literature, where the writers critique the hypocrisy and double standards of Southern society, particularly in the context of racial and class-based injustices.

💡Decay

Decay, in the context of Southern Gothic literature, symbolizes the decline of the old Southern way of life, particularly the agricultural society that was dependent on slave labor. The script mentions the decay of society as a central theme, reflecting on the aftermath of the Civil War and the societal changes that followed.

💡Social Expectations

Social expectations are the norms and behaviors that society deems acceptable or desirable. In the video, Southern Gothic writers are said to reject these expectations, often exploring antisocial behaviors as a reaction to the confining code of conduct imposed by Southern society. The script provides examples such as the restrictive clothing of the time, symbolizing the broader constraints on personal freedom.

💡Carpet Baggers

Carpet Baggers is a term used to describe Northerners who moved to the South after the Civil War, often with the intent of rebuilding but also seen as opportunistic. In Southern Gothic literature, they represent the negative aspects of modernity and are often portrayed as antagonists, as mentioned in the script.

💡Sharecropping

Sharecropping is an agricultural system that emerged post-Civil War in the South, where freed slaves were given small plots of land to work in exchange for giving a portion of their crop to the landowner. The script describes it as a transition from slavery to a form of 'modified slavery,' illustrating the economic challenges faced by the South during this period.

💡Gentility

Gentility refers to refined manners and the aristocratic lifestyle that was once prevalent in the South. The script discusses the disappearing realms of gentility, indicating the shift from an aristocratic society to one that is more focused on wealth and modernity, which is a significant theme in Southern Gothic literature.

💡Irony and Absurdity

Irony and absurdity are literary devices that highlight the incongruity between expectations and reality. In the context of Southern Gothic literature, as explained in the script, these devices are used to underscore the futility of trying to halt or reverse societal progress, emphasizing the inevitability of change despite efforts to cling to the past.

Highlights

Introduction to Southern Gothic literature and its roots in early 20th-century United States.

The influence of European Gothic style and Edgar Allen Poe on Southern Gothic literature.

Key characteristics of Gothic style: the macabre, grotesque, supernatural, sinister, and decay.

Notable Southern Gothic writers including Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, and others.

Harper Lee's unpublished work and its anticipated release 55 years after 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

Southern Gothic writers' use of Gothic conventions to critique society, focusing on moral blindness and societal decay.

The concept of moral compass being influenced by race, social class, and societal status in the South.

The impact of the Civil War on Southern society and the transition from slave labor to sharecropping.

The celebration of quaint Southern features in Southern Gothic literature.

Rejection of social expectations and exploration of antisocial behaviors in Southern Gothic works.

The fragility of daily life and social order, disguising disturbing realities and twisted psyches.

The historical context of Southern society's manners and the underlying inhumanity towards slaves.

Tensions between the North and South, old ideas versus modernity, and the complexities of a changing world order.

The disappearing realms of gentility and aristocratic ideals in the post-Civil War South.

Northerners or 'Carpet Baggers' as opportunistic characters in Southern Gothic literature.

The confused understanding of good and evil, and the dark secrets of people's lives in Southern Gothic narratives.

The transition in society from a focus on manners and social class to a focus on money and wealth.

Rigid social constraints placed on women and their limited options in a changing society.

Classic Gothic characters such as the reclusive spinster, town drunk, ex-slave, and the odd person with a handicap.

The role of irony and absurdity in Southern Gothic literature, reflecting the futility of trying to stop or reverse time.

The theme of Southerners' struggle to hold on to their old way of life and the inevitability of progress.

Transcripts

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Southern Gothic Literature

Takeaways

Q & A

What is the Southern Gothic literary tradition?

Who are Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner, and how are they related to Southern Gothic literature?

What are some key characteristics of the Gothic style?

How do Southern Gothic writers use the conventions of Gothic literature?

What is the significance of the term 'moral blindness' in Southern Gothic literature?

How did the end of the Civil War impact the South and its literature?

What is the concept of 'sharecropping' that emerged after the Civil War?

How does Southern Gothic literature explore the theme of social expectations and antisocial behaviors?

What is the role of Northerners, or 'Carpet Baggers,' in Southern Gothic literature?

How does Southern Gothic literature address the changing role of women in society?

What is the significance of irony and absurdity in Southern Gothic literature?