However, in terms of the tone, the supernatural elements and a focus on darker aspects of life, it’s clear why these novels fall under the classification of “Gothic novels. Additionally, the issues that Southern Gothic novels explore typically grapple with a different set of social issues than “traditional” Gothic novels and have cultural characteristics that are reflexive of the American South. Southern Gothic literature typically to replaces the euro-centric elements of traditionally Gothic writing like castles and maidens and replaces them with American Southern elements like farmhouses, churches, small town lawyers or the local drunkard. Southern Gothic literature is a sub-genre of the Gothic novel. There’s also generally a reliance on supernatural or unusual events to guide the plot.
It’s a genre typified by heightened emotions, often with an air of sexuality or romance as well. Gothic novels typically dabble with darker elements, like horror, death or the macabre. This list is divided into the following categories:įor a quick primer on the Gothic genre and Southern Gothic sub-genre: What are Gothic Novels? The list below encompasses a variety of Gothic books, short stories and novellas, both modern and classic, and includes Southern Gothic novels as well. Southern Gothic writers are interested in. 8 She addresses this connection in her piece Some Aspects of the. Gothic novels are notable for their overwrought drama, dark corridors, mysterious locales and eerie atmospheres. Specifically talking about American literature, southern literature predominantly portrays elements of grotesque and gothic. Themes of honor, betrayal, integrity, and hypocrisy, among others, are central to Southern Gothic literature. 7 For more information, see Bridget Marshalls Defining Southern Gothic Literature. Those elements are the foreboding of evil, ghosts and ghost houses, innocence, imprisonment, taboos, forbidden secrets, and violence. 100 Best Gothic Books and Stories (of All Time)īy Jennifer Marie Lin on Aug 26th, 2020 (Last Updated Oct 7th, 2020) Southern Gothic Theme To Kill A Mockingbird has many southern gothic elements throughout the book that develop the plot.