The eNotes Blog 6 Southern Gothic Literature Recommendations for YourClassroom

6 Southern Gothic Literature Recommendations for YourClassroom Some of the most important issues to be addressed in today’s classrooms include racism and gender equity- but they’re also some of the most intimidating topics for teachers to tackle. Luckily, Southern gothic literature deals with these ideas head on. This subgenre highlights the disparity between idealized notions of the antebellum South and the realities of slavery, racism, and patriarchy that existed throughout the era. In more contemporary terms, the genre addresses the contrast between the American Dream and the realities experienced by many people of color, women, and low-income Americans. Southern gothic literature addresses these topics through relatively simple literary devices- characterization and setting. Characters give voice to the horrific, transgressive, irrational, or otherwise taboo impulses that exist within the American zeitgeist. These characteristics are often expressed plainly through dialogue or internal monologue, or externalized through physical abnormalities. Similarly, setting also underscores American social dynamics. Southern gothic literature is most often set in the American South, featuring decaying plantations, towns that never recovered from the Civil War, and/or character’s who maintain their superiority while living in dilapidated circumstances. For many students, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is their first introduction to the genre. Characters such as Boo Radley and Tom Robinson exemplify the way Southern Gothic literature externalizes a character’s internal and social conflicts. Similarly, Bob Ewell’s racist superiority, juxtaposed with his own downtrodden lifestyle, is a classic example of how the genre uses setting to develop social themes. By studying how characterization and setting are deployed within Southern Gothic literature, teachers can guide and coach their students through a discussion as to how the traumas of US history impact the people living therein. Let’s take a look at some other examples of Southern Gothic literature that you can use in your classroom today: Twentieth Century Greats William Faulkner Winner of the 1950 Nobel Prize, Faulkner is the writer most commonly associated with Southern Gothic literature. The majority of Faulkner’s ouvre is set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, the site of a Civil War loss and the home of a community reckoning with its traumatic past. Consider reading: The Sound and the Fury,  326 pages Absalom! Absalom!,  320 pages As I Lay Dying, 288 pages â€Å"A Rose for Emily†, 36 pages   Zora Neale Hurston Hurston was born in Alabama, raised in Florida, and moved to New York to be celebrated as a writer and anthropologist within the Harlem Renaissance. Her body of work, consisting of fiction, non-fiction, and theater, is known particularly for its wit and pathos. Consider reading: Their Eyes Were Watching God, 219 pages â€Å"Spunk†, 106 pages Flannery O’Connor O’Connor is the writer most commonly associated with the grotesque aspects of Southern Gothic writing. In her essay â€Å"Some Aspects of the Grotesque in Southern Fiction,† O’Connor argues that Southern Gothic writing is freed from notions of civility and politeness that can limit literature’s ability to convey reality. Consider reading: â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find†, 190 pages â€Å"Everything that Rises Must Converge†, 25 pages Wise Blood, 256 pages Richard Wright   Born on a plantation in 1908, Wright is known for exchanging the supernatural aspects of Southern Gothic literature for the unflinching realities of life for African Americans in the Jim Crow South. Consider reading: Black Boy, 419 pages Native Son, 504 pages â€Å"Fire and Cloud†, â€Å"Long Black Song† â€Å"The Ethics of Living Jim Crow† Contemporary Writers to Watch Toni Morrison The first African American woman to ever accept a Nobel Prize, many consider Morrison to be the zenith of contemporary Southern Gothic writing. Known for being distinctive and musical, Morrison shies away from any use of language that attempts to obscure the reality of life in America. Consider reading: The Bluest Eye,  216 pages Beloved, 324 pages Song of Solomon,  337 The Source of Self Regard, 354 pages Jesmyn Ward Born in Mississippi in 1977, Ward has already earned two National Book Awards and a MacArthur Genius Grant, among many other prestigious accolades. Though her work is often categorized as Young Adult, it explores the bonds that exist within disenfranchised African American communities in the contemporary American South. Consider reading: Salvage the Bones, 261 pages Sing, Unburied, Sing, 285 pages

Battle of Quebec in the American Revolution

Battle of Quebec in the American Revolution The Battle of Quebec was fought on the night of December 30/31, 1775 during the American Revolution (1775-1783). Beginning in September 1775, the invasion of Canada was the first major offensive operation conducted by American forces during the war. Initially led by Major General Philip Schuyler, the invading force  departed Fort Ticonderoga and commenced an advance down (northward) the Richelieu River toward Fort St. Jean. Initial attempts to reach the fort proved abortive and an increasingly ill Schuyler was compelled to turn over command to Brigadier General Richard Montgomery. A distinguished veteran of the French and Indian War, Montgomery resumed the advance on September 16 with 1,700 militia. Arriving at Fort St. Jean three days later, he laid siege and forced the garrison to surrender on November 3. Though a victory, the length of the siege badly delayed the American invasion effort and saw many suffer from sickness. Pressing on, the Americans occupied Montreal without a fight on November 28. Armies Commanders: Americans Brigadier General Richard MontgomeryColonel Benedict ArnoldColonel James Livingston900 men British Governor Sir Guy Carleton1,800 men Arnolds Expedition To the east, a second American expedition fought its way north through the Maine wilderness. Organized by Colonel Benedict Arnold, this force of 1,100 men had been picked from the ranks of General George Washingtons Continental Army outside Boston. Proceeding from Massachusetts to the mouth of the Kennebec River, Arnold had expected the trek north through Maine to take around twenty days. This estimate was based on a rough map of the route developed by Captain  John Montresor in 1760/61. Moving north, the expedition soon suffered due to the poor construction of their boats and the faulty nature of Montresors maps. Lacking adequate supplies, starvation set in and the men were reduced to eating shoe leather and candle wax. Of the original force, only 600 eventually reached the St. Lawrence. Nearing Quebec, it quickly became clear that Arnold lacked the men needed to take the city and that the British were aware of their approach. British Preparations Withdrawing to Pointe aux Trembles, Arnold was forced to wait for reinforcements and artillery. On December 2, Montgomery descended the river with around 700 men and united with Arnold.   Along with reinforcements, Montgomery brought four cannon, six mortars, additional ammunition, and winter clothing for Arnolds men. Returning to the vicinity of Quebec, the combined American force laid siege to the city on December 6. At this time, Montgomery issued the first of several surrender demands to the Governor-General of Canada, Sir Guy Carleton.   These were dismissed out of hand by Carleton who instead looked to improve the citys defenses. Outside of the city, Montgomery endeavored to construct batteries, the largest of which was completed on December 10. Due to the frozen ground, it was constructed from blocks of snow. Though a bombardment commenced, it did little damage. As days passed, Montgomery and Arnolds situation became increasingly desperate as they lacked the heavy artillery to conduct a traditional siege, their mens enlistments would soon be expiring, and British reinforcements likely would arrive in the spring. Seeing little alternative, the two began planning an attack on the city. They hoped that if they advanced during a snowstorm, they would be able to scale Quebecs walls undetected. Within its walls, Carleton possessed a garrison of 1,800 regulars and militia. Aware of American activities in the area, Carleton made efforts to enhance the citys formidable defenses by erecting a series of barricades. The Americans Advance To assault the city, Montgomery and Arnold planned on advancing from two directions. Montgomery was to attack from the west, moving along the St. Lawrence waterfront, while Arnold was to advance from the north, marching along the St. Charles River. The two were to reunite at point where the rivers joined and then turn to attack the city wall. To divert the British, two militia units would make feints against Quebecs western walls. Moving out on December 30, the assault began after midnight on the 31st during a snowstorm. Advancing past the Cape Diamond Bastion, Montgomerys force pressed into the Lower Town where they encountered the first barricade. Forming to attack the barricades 30 defenders, the Americans were stunned when the first British volley killed Montgomery. A British Victory In addition to killing Montgomery, the volley struck down his two chief subordinates. With their general down, the American attack faltered and the remaining officers ordered a withdrawal. Unaware of Montgomerys death and the attacks failure, Arnolds column pressed on from the north. Reaching the Sault au Matelot, Arnold was hit and wounded in the left ankle. Unable to walk, he was carried to the rear and command was transferred to Captain Daniel Morgan. Successfully taking the first barricade they encountered, Morgans men moved into the city proper. Continuing the advance, Morgans men suffered from damp gunpowder and had difficulty navigating the narrow streets. As a result, they paused to dry their powder. With Montgomerys column repulsed and Carletons realization that the attacks from the west were a diversion, Morgan became the focus of the defenders activities. British troops counterattacked in the rear and retook the barricade before moving through the streets to surround Morgans men. With no options remaining, Morgan and his men were forced to surrender. Aftermath The Battle of Quebec cost the Americans 60 dead and wounded as well as 426 captured. For the British, casualties were a light 6 killed and 19 wounded. Though the assault failed, American troops remained in the field around Quebec. Rallying the men, Arnold attempted to lay siege to the city. This proved increasingly ineffective as men began to desert following the expiration of their enlistments. Though he was reinforced, Arnold was forced to fall back following the arrival of 4,000 British troops under Major General John Burgoyne. After being defeated at Trois-Rivià ¨res on June 8, 1776, American forces were forced to retreat back into New York, ending the invasion of Canada.