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__Southern Gothic/ Grotesque.__



Alexandra Pietrangeli

The Southern Gothic genre in literature has been seen as a style of writing that helps bring the traits of Gothic writing into play. Although the main focus of Southern Gothic focuses on certain areas, many traits of Gothic writing are kept. "Southern Gothic builds on the larger Gothic genre, typically including supernatural elements, mental disease, and the grotesque" (Foster). While the use of Gothic elements is evident in Southern Gothic writing, Foster explains that the style takes on its own set way of writing. Much Southern Gothic literature deals with disturbed personality traits within characters and delusional characters (Foster). One of the main plights regarding most Southern Gothic novels deals with those facing oppression dealt by Southern culture, predominately blacks, women and gays (Foster). This shows the hardships and situations many writers using Southern Gothic style were facing. This is why many notable Southern Gothic novels, such as //To Kill a Mockingbird// or //A Streetcar Named Desire//, focus on oppression of both African-Americans and women (Foster).

Foster, Niki. "What is the Southern Gothic Movement in Literature." wiseGEEK.com, 2009. Web. 06 August 2009.