Music is a tremendously important part of Southern culture and it shows in the poetry of the region. In many ways, the region and its music are intertwined. A very mention of something Southern or a statement with just a bit too much drawl can be enough to elicit an impression of “Dueling Banjos” from a non-Southerner. The music of the South evolved with the region itself and apart from many other schools of music. Because of this and the prevalence of rural communities, the South and its various regions served as the birthplaces of many different types of music. These styles are all unique, but share many common traits. They all tend to value expression and the reflection of real life. While each style reflects the experiences of the people of its region, the combined product that is Southern music serves as a source of communal pride and culture for the people of the American Southeast.
The importance of music in Southern poetry is quickly evident. Music is used both as a theme in and of itself and as a means for emphasizing other Southern themes. Music can be used as an indication of comfort and familiarity, a source that draws the community together, or simply an omnipresent element of Southern life. It is also used to magnify the beauty of nature, the importance of family, and reverence for the past, among other things. On this blog, I will attempt to explore and, to a lesser degree define, the role of music in Southern poetry.
Southern Identity Projected Through Music (And Insects)
Music and Family
Musical Memories
