What are the characteristics of southern short stories?

The southern literature short stories are often marked by their rich use of dialect. It gives a sense of authenticity to the characters and the setting. Also, they tend to have a slow - paced narrative that allows for in - depth exploration of emotions and relationships. Many of these stories deal with the legacy of the Civil War, whether it's the economic aftermath or the social hierarchies that still lingered long after the war ended.

One characteristic is the strong sense of family. In southern Christmas stories, family gatherings are a big part of it. Extended families come together for a big Christmas dinner, with traditional southern dishes like fried chicken, collard greens, and pecan pie. Another characteristic is the influence of religion. Churches are often central in these stories, with Christmas services being important events.

They often have a decaying or isolated southern setting, like an old plantation or a small, run - down town. This creates a sense of foreboding.

Southern gothic short stories typically have a sense of foreboding. The atmosphere is often gloomy. The characters can be outcasts or misfits in their communities. For example, a character might be a hermit living on the outskirts of a small southern town. There's also a lot of focus on family secrets and the past that haunts the present. These stories might deal with themes like incest or long - held grudges within families.

Southern fiction often features a strong sense of place, with the South as a vivid backdrop. It frequently delves into complex themes like race, class, and family. The characters in southern fiction are usually richly drawn, with their own idiosyncrasies and deep - seated beliefs influenced by the southern culture. For example, in works like 'To Kill a Mockingbird', the setting of a small southern town is crucial in shaping the story's events and the characters' perspectives.

One characteristic is the focus on family and community. In southern novels, families are often large and extended, and their relationships are central to the story. There is also a prevalence of a certain type of southern dialect which adds to the authenticity. Moreover, themes of race relations are commonly explored, as the South has a long and complex history in this regard. Southern novels can be both a celebration and a critique of the southern way of life.

One characteristic is the focus on the southern setting. The landscapes, plantations, and small towns in the South often play a big role. For example, in 'Gone with the Wind', the Tara plantation is a central location that represents the southern way of life.

Southern gothic novels often feature grotesque characters. These characters might have physical or mental abnormalities. For example, in some novels, there are characters with extreme paranoia or deformities. They also typically have a sense of decay and decline, like the decaying southern plantations which are a common setting. There is often an exploration of the dark side of human nature, such as racism, violence, and sexual deviance that lurked beneath the genteel facade of the old South.

Southern plantation novels often feature large plantations as the main setting. They usually depict the hierarchical society of the South, with plantation owners at the top. The novels may also show the lives of slaves, their struggles and relationships. For example, in 'Gone with the Wind', we see the grandeur of the plantation Tara and the complex social relationships among the characters, including the different situations of slaves and owners.

Many southern roman novels deal with issues related to race. Given the complex history of the South in terms of slavery and segregation, these novels may explore interracial relationships, racial prejudice, and the struggle for equality. This can be seen in works like 'To Kill a Mockingbird' where a white lawyer defends a black man in a racially charged environment.