By William Faulkner A Rose for Emily Southern Gothic: A Definition Southern Gothic Literature is a sub-genre of gothic literature (think Poe!) focusing on character, social and moral shortcomings in the American south; it reached its height between s. Southern Gothic Characteristics Often comments on societys negatives or weaknesses to point out truths of Americas southern culture Often disturbing but realistic Characteristics Continued Plot relies on unusual, disturbing, supernatural, or ironic events A Rose for Emily provides a good example of Southern Gothic Literature using unusual events to guide the plot Southern Grotesque Grotesque Characters or Situations deeply flawed - characters, decayed (often rural) settings, evil or disturbing events (often linked to racism, poverty, violence, moral corruption) Examples: 1. A characters negatives/undesirable characteristics allow the author to show/comment on unpleasant aspects of southern culture. - racial bigotry, crushing poverty, violence, moral corruption or ambiguity 2. Something physical in the setting is unusual and often broken Themes Old South versus New South Emily represents the Old South Old traditions Example: Miss Emily is told by Colonel Sartoris that she is excused from paying taxes A mans word is his bond Chivalry Hospitality Sense of community/family Honor Loyalty Themes Continued Decorum and propriety: what is proper at a given time and place. * Appearances are very important. Themes The problems of the human heart in conflict with itself Literary Terms to Focus On Setting: time and location in which a story takes place Customs and social conditions of the time Ex: Racial stereotyping in the South Irony: Unexpected twist in a story Verbal Situational Dramatic Tone: The attitude the writer takes toward the subject of a work, the characters in it, or the audience. Mood: Feeling WE get when we read a story Literary Terms Continued 1. First Person: One of the characters tells the story; talks directly to the reader - Uses the pronoun I, me, we, or us 2. Third Person Limited: The narrator will focus on the thoughts & feelings of just one character - Reader experiences the events of the story through the memory and senses of only one character 3. Third-Person Omniscient- All-knowing - An all-knowing narrator who refers to all the characters as he and she. Knows the thoughts and feelings of ALL of the characters. *The narrator is not necessarily the storys author* Big Words I Dont Know virulentpowerful, deadly imperviousimmune tranquilquiet, peaceful perverseodd, not normal sibilanthissing macabrehorrible, grotesque acrida bitter, irritating odor palla deathly quiet cuckoldedbetrayed (a man by his wife) inextricableimpossible to be separated from remittedpaid edictan official order archaicout-of-date vindicatedproven to be right pauperpoor, destitute noblesse obligenobility obliges (and obligates) circumventto go around cabalsmall group of conspirators