The Heart of the South

Debunking the Southern Belle

The ideal of the Southern Belle represented the core values and qualities of the traditional Southern American Dream. Yet beyond the pretty, flamboyant exterior were serious issues that revealed devastating problems in the South which could no longer be ignored. Your assignment is to analyze the ideal of the Southern Belle and its relationship to the traditional Southern American Dream. Find one partner to work with. Here are your requirements:

1. Read Faulkner's "Dry September"

2. Write a 350 word/MLA format paper on one of the two topics: 

A. Compare/Contrast Southern Belle Figures
* What is the traditional Southern Belle? (need one authentic source/parenthetical citation)
* What is the Southern Belle portrayed in "Dry September"
* What is the Southern Belle portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird (there are at least two)
* Compare/Contrast these different Southern Belle figures
* What do these portrayals of the Southern Belle say about the Southern American Dream?

B. Compare/Contrast Black Brute Figures
* What is the traditional Black Brute figure? (need one authentic source/parenthetical citation)
* What is the Black Brute portrayed in "Dry September"
* What is the Black Brute portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird (think about other black characters too)
* Compare/Contrast these different Black Brute figures
* What do these portrayals of the Black Brute say about the Southern American Dream?

3. Create a Poster that Contains the Major Information of These Two Reports 


 

Southern Gothic Project

A Creepy Look into the Heart of the South

For your first assignment, you will create a Southern Gothic story based on "A Rose for Emily" that targets a social/religious/cultural/racial issue here in Rockingham, NC. Here are the requirements for your assignment:

1. Typed, doubled spaced original Southern Gothic story. It must be:
    a) From multiple points of view like "A Rose for Emily" in the first person
  
    b) Each member must write one double spaced page in the story from a unique point of view. The
        TONE and MOOD of your short story should be Southern Gothic

    c) Make sure you plan as a group the overall theme of your story, how all the viewpoints will  
        come together, your issue targeted...
 
    d) Avoid being overtly goofy and silly - tackle a legitimate issue.


2. Presentation of your analysis of the short story and original story. You must:
    a) Introduce to the class your group's original story and how it models Faulkner's story and what
        issue here in Rockingham your group targeted.
 
    b) Enact a dramatic reading of your original short story. Here are some ideas to consider:
        - Use sound effects (speakers, iPad, etc.)
        - Get into the character of your story!
        - Use costumes, etc.
        - Use appropriate props to create a background, etc.

Summarizing, Analyzing, Moralizing

"Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor ---
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So, boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps.
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now ---
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

The Southern American Dream

What do you think is the Southern American Dream? Think about the values, traditions, and history specific to the South. Leave a comment stating what you believe makes up the ideal American Dream of the South.