The Old South in American Literature

Table of Contents

Introduction

I. Nostalgia for the Old South

II. The Old Southern Myth

III. The Search for Identity

III.1 Southern Literary Identity

III.1.1 Plantation Fiction

III. 1.2 Apologists' notions

IV. The Interplay of Fiction and History

IV. 1 Myth-making in Gone with the Wind & Uncle Tom's Cabin

IV. 2 Gender in Gone with the Wind

IV. 3 Race in Uncle Tom's Cabin & Gone with the Wind

V. The New South

V. 1 William Faulkner

VI. The Myth prevails

VI.1 The Old South in Pop-culture: Hart of Dixie

Conclusion

Objectives & Research Focus

This thesis examines the construction and persistence of the "Southern Myth" in American literature, focusing specifically on how nostalgia—triggered largely by the Lost Cause—has shaped the literary representation of the antebellum South. The research investigates how historical realities, particularly regarding the plantation system and slavery, were idealized or obscured in fiction to create a stable Southern identity.

• Analysis of the "Old South" as a literary and cultural construct rather than a historical reality.
• Examination of the interplay between fiction, history, and the evolution of the Southern identity.
• Investigation of key literary works, with a primary focus on Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind and Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin.
• Evaluation of how post-Civil War nostalgia and the "New South" creed contributed to the maintenance of the myth in modern pop culture.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Introduction: This chapter establishes the concept of the Southern Myth and the role of nostalgia in shaping Southern literary identity, highlighting the Civil War as a defining historical pivot.

I. Nostalgia for the Old South: Explores the etymology and medical origins of nostalgia, demonstrating how it functions as a mechanism to glorify the past and cope with historical trauma.

II. The Old Southern Myth: Defines the term "myth" and analyzes how the idealized image of the plantation South, particularly regarding the planter class and the "Cotton Kingdom," contradicts historical reality.

III. The Search for Identity: Traces the American quest for a national and distinct Southern identity in the 19th century and how literature became a primary vehicle for this construction.

III.1 Southern Literary Identity: Focuses on the development of Southern authorship and the shift toward plantation narratives as a means of defending Southern values.

III.1.1 Plantation Fiction: Details the genre of the plantation novel, examining how it served as a "literary pastoral" to address the anxieties of a changing Southern society.

III. 1.2 Apologists' notions: Analyzes the reactive literature published in defense of slavery, particularly in response to the abolitionist influence of Uncle Tom's Cabin.

IV. The Interplay of Fiction and History: Investigates the blurring lines between historical account and fictional narrative in the representation of the South.

IV. 1 Myth-making in Gone with the Wind & Uncle Tom's Cabin: Compares the contrasting approaches of Stowe and Mitchell in their respective myth-making processes and their lasting impact on the public perception of the South.

IV. 2 Gender in Gone with the Wind: Examines how the novel subverts and enforces traditional Southern gender roles through characters like Scarlett O'Hara.

IV. 3 Race in Uncle Tom's Cabin & Gone with the Wind: Discusses the representation of black characters and the use of racial stereotypes in both novels as tools for the authors' specific agendas.

V. The New South: Explores the post-Civil War socio-economic evolution of the South and the tension between "Old South" values and "New South" modernization.

V. 1 William Faulkner: Analyzes Faulkner's nuanced and complex literary portrayal of Southern decay, pride, and the fragmented nature of regional memory.

VI. The Myth prevails: Concludes that despite social and economic changes, the Southern Myth persists in popular culture and imagination.

VI.1 The Old South in Pop-culture: Hart of Dixie: Provides a case study of a modern TV show that incorporates and updates traditional themes of the Southern Myth for contemporary audiences.

Conclusion: Summarizes the thesis, reinforcing the idea that the Southern Myth, while historically contested, remains a powerful and enduring narrative force.

Keywords

Southern Myth, Nostalgia, Plantation Fiction, Gone with the Wind, Lost Cause, Southern Identity, American Literature, Slavery, Antebellum South, New South, William Faulkner, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Myth-making, Regionalism, Post-Civil War.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this academic work?

The paper examines how literature has been used to create, sustain, and evolve the "Southern Myth" in the United States, particularly looking at how nostalgia influences the representation of the antebellum South.

What are the primary themes addressed?

Key themes include the role of nostalgia in coping with the aftermath of the Civil War, the search for a distinct Southern identity, the use of plantation fiction as a defense of Southern institutions, and the adaptation of these myths in contemporary pop culture.

What is the primary research question or goal?

The main goal is to demonstrate that the Myth of the Old South is a "figment of imagination" or a narrative construct that was utilized to maintain a sense of Southern distinctiveness and pride, especially following the trauma of the Civil War.

Which scientific methods are employed?

The research is a literary and cultural analysis. It utilizes primary sources (novels and contemporary documents) and secondary scholarly literature (history and literary criticism) to reconstruct the cultural and social conditions that allowed these myths to flourish.

What does the main body cover?

The body analyzes the development of the "Southern Myth" from the 19th century to modern times, specifically comparing the works of authors like Harriet Beecher Stowe, Margaret Mitchell, and William Faulkner, while also considering how modern television, such as Hart of Dixie, integrates these historical tropes.

How would you summarize the work in a few keywords?

Southern Myth, Nostalgia, Lost Cause, Plantation Fiction, Southern Identity, and Literary Construction.

How does the author characterize the role of Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind"?

Scarlett is portrayed as a transitional figure who subverts traditional "Southern Belle" gender roles through her survivalism and business acumen, yet she remains deeply connected to the plantation as a site of nostalgic value.

What is the significance of the "New South" concept in this analysis?

The "New South" represents the postwar attempt to reconcile Southern traditions with industrialization and Northern influence; the author argues that it often served as an extension of old myths rather than a complete departure from them.