Southern Gothic

Southern Gothic is a mode or genre prevalent in literature from the early 19th century to this day. Characteristics include the presence of irrational, horrific, and transgressive thoughts, desires, and impulses; grotesque characters; dark humor, and an overall angst-ridden sense of alienation (Bjerre, 2017).  Virginia-born writer Edgar Allan Poe captured these themes in many of his pieces including The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket (1838), “The Fall of the House of Usher” (1839), and “The Raven” (1845).  We see possibilities of Poe’s influence upon the work of later Southern writers. “A Streetcar Named Desire” (1947) by playwright Tennessee Williams, set in New Orleans, depicts the loss and decay of the old South and its sentiments. Eve’s Bayou, a 1997 film written and directed by Kasi Lemmons, examines issues such as conjure, the grotesque, and violence. And Jesmyn Ward’s novel Salvage the Bones (2011) demonstrates the threat and destruction imposed by Hurricane Katrina on residents in the Gulf Coast of Mississippi.

"Revisiting Eve's Bayou"

"Once Upon A Streetcar Named Desire"

"Is this Texas?

Victoria King  English Major, Class of '27

Chastity St. John English Major/Pre-Law, Class of '25 

Morgan Vincent  English Major, Class of '25

Dr. James Richie Faculty Mentor, 2023-24

Dr. Margaret Cox Producer

Conversations in Literature & Culture has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in these episodes do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.