While related to the tradition of English and American Gothic literature, Southern Gothic is its own beast. Investigating the dark heart of a complex American region, Southern Gothic literature lifts the veil of the South's outward emphasis on civility and veneration for tradition to reveal transgression, degeneracy, and sin. Within this collection, you’ll discover study guides on Southern Gothic classics from William Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor, Harper Lee, Tennessee Williams, and more.
Publication year 2020
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Southern Gothic, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Black Lives Matter, Relationships, Race / Racism, Class, Psychological Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Religion / Spirituality
Publication year 1960
Genre Novel, Fiction
Tags Southern Gothic, Christian literature, Religion / Spirituality, American Literature, Southern Literature, Gothic Literature, Classic Fiction
The Violent Bear It Away is a fiction novel published in 1960 by the American author Flannery O’Connor. Written in O’Connor’s trademark Southern Gothic style, the book chronicles the inner turmoil of a 14-year-old boy from rural Tennessee as he struggles against his destiny of becoming a prophet. It is an expansion of O’Connor’s 1955 short story, “You Can’t Be Any Poorer Than Dead,” which is presented here as the book’s first chapter.This study guide... Read The Violent Bear It Away Summary
Publication year 1960
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age
Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, American Literature, Southern Gothic, Education, Education, History: World, Historical Fiction
To Kill a Mockingbird is a Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel written by Harper Lee and originally published in 1960. The book is widely regarded as an American classic and, until recently, was the only novel Lee had published. To Kill a Mockingbird was inspired by events and observations that took place in Lee’s hometown. Set in the Great Depression, from 1932 to 1935, the novel is narrated by a young girl named Scout, whose coming-of-age experiences closely mirror... Read To Kill a Mockingbird Summary
Publication year 1941
Genre Short Story, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Society: Class
Tags Southern Literature, Race / Racism, Southern Gothic, Education, Education, History: U.S., History: World, Historical Fiction, Humor, Classic Fiction
“Why I Live at the P.O.” is a short story written in 1941 by Eudora Welty, an author and photographer from the American South. The story’s narrator, Sister, narrates her family’s reaction as her sister, Stella-Rondo, leaves her husband and returns to the family’s home in China Grove, Mississippi, surprising her family with a young child in tow. As conflict unfolds among the family members, Sister moves into the post office where she works, seeking... Read Why I Live at the P.O. Summary
Publication year 1952
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Gender, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt
Tags Southern Gothic, Gender / Feminism, Religion / Spirituality, Christian literature, American Literature, Southern Literature, Gothic Literature, Classic Fiction
Wise Blood is Flannery O’Connor’s first novel, and it is concerned with the journey of a young man named Hazel Motes. At the beginning of the narrative, Motes is traveling to Taulkinham, Tennessee, after fighting for four years in World War II. Before his military service, Motes had always intended to become a preacher like his grandfather before him, but his war experiences cause Motes to become an anti-religious nihilist.After arriving in Taulkinham, Motes encounters a young... Read Wise Blood Summary