Writing against the odds - the South's cultural and literary struggle against progress and modernity

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction: Resisting and Loathing Modernity
• Southern Literary Tradition
  • Historical, Cultural, and Literary Roots
    • Historical Roots
    • Cultural Roots
    • Literary Roots
• Southern Avoidance of Progress and Modernity
  • Form: Novel and Short Story
  • Motifs, Themes, and Symbols
    • Humor
    • Despair and Brutalization
    • Place
    • Nature
    • Man and Beast
• Cultural and Literary Identity
• Conclusion: “The Grave in the House”

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis explores the Southern literary tradition and its enduring resistance to progress and modernity. It aims to analyze how Southern writers, from the early 20th century to the present, have consistently addressed themes of the past, cultural isolation, and the struggle against modernization.

• The impact of the Civil War and Reconstruction on Southern identity and culture.
• The persistent themes of the past, tradition, and resistance to change in Southern literature.
• The recurring use of specific literary forms, such as the novel and short story, to express Southern perspectives.
• The significance of place, nature, and the relationship between humans and the natural world in Southern writing.
• The enduring influence of Southern literary figures like William Faulkner and Tennessee Williams on contemporary authors.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction examines the concept of the past's lasting influence on the present in Southern literature, highlighting the theme of resistance to modernity and the importance of tradition.
Chapter 1 provides an overview of the Southern literary tradition, exploring its historical, cultural, and literary roots. This section delves into the historical context of the South, including the Civil War and Reconstruction, as well as the development of distinct Southern cultural values and their influence on literature.
Chapter 2 analyzes the Southern avoidance of progress and modernity, examining how Southern writers have chosen to address these themes through specific literary forms, motifs, and symbols. The chapter discusses the prevalence of the novel and short story as favored genres, and explores recurring themes of humor, despair, and the significance of place and nature.
Chapter 3 examines the development of Southern cultural and literary identity, highlighting the ongoing struggle between tradition and change, and how Southern writers have portrayed this conflict in their works.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary keywords and focus topics of this thesis include: Southern literature, Southern identity, tradition, modernity, progress, resistance, Civil War, Reconstruction, place, nature, humor, despair, William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, Barry Hannah, Larry Brown, Cormac McCarthy.