What is the Southern Gothic Movement?

The southern gothic movement is a prominent literary genre that began in the 1920s. Southern gothic literature is set apart from works in other movements by its unique tie to the American south and abundance of grotesque themes and strange characters. The dark and ugly past of the south, slavery, the civil war, Jim Crow laws, crumbling social structures and, struggling educational systems. "The Southern Gothic brings to light the extent to which the idyllic vision of the pastoral, agrarian South rests on massive repressions of the region’s historical realities: slavery, racism, and patriarchy" (Bjerre). These events all tie into the darkness of southern gothic literature and the cultural practices in the south. The three main characteristics of southern gothic literature are emphasis on social behavior and issues, eccentric characters, and the juxtaposition of light and dark. The behavioral emphasis in southern gothic literature highlights what it means to be southern, it places emphasis on the mannerisms that are acceptable in southern culture. It also draws contrast through characters that act outside of the norm further defining what is and isn't included in southern culture. Eccentric characters also help develop the definition of southern culture as they present exaggerated versions of typically southern traits and mannerisms or exhibit traits that show what goes against southern culture. The characters and behaviors in southern gothic literature help portray southern culture and its uniqueness.

Well known southern gothic works

Southern gothic art

The characteristics of southern gothic literature carry over into the art of the movement. Focus on dark and light as well as elements that are distinctly southern. Depictions of plantation homes overgrown and aged, as seen in The Dark Plantation Painting below, reflect the history of slavery and the beginnings of the south. Angry and hurt spirits may be present as a reminder of the treatment of slaves in the south. Religion and religious items also have a high presence in southern gothic art due to their prevalence in the south. Agricultural references, as seen in American Gothic below, are common in southern gothic art representing the prevalence of farming in both the historical and current lives of southerners. Ravens, as seen in The Raven below, are common symbols of darkness and evil making them a staple element in the art of the southern gothic movement.