Southern Literature: Definition

Definition of American Southern Literature

    In order to understand the role of the Southern Gothic in American Literature, it is important to understand its background. American Southern literature is usually referred to as those American literature associated with the Southern United States or writers from this region. There are some characteristics of Southern literature, including the importance of family, the emphasis of community, how one is influenced by the two, and of course a focus on Southern history. In addition, the region's dominant religion plays a very important role in Southern literature; in many works the advantages and disadvantages religion brings are often discussed. Issues of racial tension, as well as conflict resulted from different social classes can also be referred in works of American Southern Literature

"The states in dark red are almost always included in modern day definitions of the South, while those in medium red are usually included. The striped states are sometimes/occasionally considered Southern" (Wikipedia).

picture & source from:

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_literature