Southern Gothic Romanticism: "The Life You Save May Be Your Own" and "A Rose for Emily"

Southern gothic - how to create a free slideshow

After reviewing the notes for Southern Gothic Romanticism (hover over the notes to show the play and pause buttons so you can pause and read as many times as you like) read the two stories below.

READ: "The Life You Save May Be Your Own"

READ: "A Rose for Emily"

ANSWER ON YOUR BLOG: What is Southern Gothic Romanticism? How do the two stories and their authors exhibit Southern Gothic traits? How do these stories and their literature compare to Romanticism and Gothic or Dark Romanticism?

In “A Rose from Emily”, why do you think Miss Emily’s crime goes undetected until her death? Identify at least three contributing factors and support them with reference to the story.

Flannery O’Connor, the author of “The Life You Save May Be Your Own”, said that the hitchhiker Shiftlet picks up at the end ‘makes the story work.’ How do you think the episode with the hitchhiker does this?

WORDS TO KNOW
Irony (Situational, Verbal and Dramatic)
Like to learn about irony with irreverent humor? Click here. Want your irony in a more serious approach with a handy-dandy handout? Click here. Prefer your lesson on irony with sound? Click here.

And, because...well, um, who doesn't like an argument? Here's my favorite song about irony...or is it about irony at all? Argue with yourself as you listen:

Anytime you want me to check your progress comment below and I'll look at what you've been writing.

Romanticism: What is it? "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot"

WATCH: Below you will find three videos that briefly describe the Romantics, you may watch one, two or all of the videos or you may go back to your notes from previous units, but be prepared to recap and discuss Romanticism, especially in relation to The Scarlet Letter and "The Devil and Tom Walker".

READ: "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"

And, of course, Disney has an excellent (if not wholly accurate) version (Part I,  Part II, Part III and IV)!

Washington Irving's tale of the Headless Horseman is a classic Halloween tale. Strangely, at the time Halloween was not the celebrated holiday that we see today. When you read this story think about what actually happens to Ichabod Crane.

ANSWER ON YOUR BLOG: How does this story capture the imagination of readers today?

LISTEN: "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" Wallis Willis

ANSWER ON YOUR BLOG: How is this song about escaping the physical conditions of slavery? How is this song about religious hope and faith? How is this song reflective of its time period? How does it relate to today?

WORDS TO KNOW
Spiritual: Songs that developed among the slave population on the plantations – generally religious in nature, but often with double meaning relating to the desire for freedom from slavery.
Call and Response: The musical practice of a leader calling out a line of music (sung or played on an instrument) and others responding.

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