Imagining Appalachia: 19th Century Fiction, 20th Century Philanthropy and American Idol
Location
Beaman A&B
Presentation Type
Presentation
Start Date
25-10-2010 12:00 PM
Description
A phenomenon detailed by several scholars, the “invention” of Appalachia as a discrete and fixed entity in the American consciousness came about in the decades following the Civil War. As a fractured nation faced an identity crisis of sorts, citizens of the (re)United States found solace in “local color” stories set in quaint corners of the nation, stories that illustrated the rich diversity of American life. One popular setting for this regional fiction was a newly “discovered” region in the Southern Mountains eventually known as Appalachia—a place that captivated readers, but troubled them as well. Appalachia, as the regional authors described it, was full of natural beauty and rugged individualism—but also poverty, ignorance, and general backwardness. Thus inspired, philanthropists began to move into the region to redress many of its perceived ills. This talk will explore the invention—and ongoing imagination—of Appalachia over the past 150 years, tracing its path through 19th century regional fiction, 20th century philanthropy, and 21st century pop culture.
Recommended Citation
Bowles, Sarah, "Imagining Appalachia: 19th Century Fiction, 20th Century Philanthropy and American Idol" (2010). Humanities Symposium. 28.
https://repository.belmont.edu/humanities_symposium/2010/2010/28
Imagining Appalachia: 19th Century Fiction, 20th Century Philanthropy and American Idol
Beaman A&B
A phenomenon detailed by several scholars, the “invention” of Appalachia as a discrete and fixed entity in the American consciousness came about in the decades following the Civil War. As a fractured nation faced an identity crisis of sorts, citizens of the (re)United States found solace in “local color” stories set in quaint corners of the nation, stories that illustrated the rich diversity of American life. One popular setting for this regional fiction was a newly “discovered” region in the Southern Mountains eventually known as Appalachia—a place that captivated readers, but troubled them as well. Appalachia, as the regional authors described it, was full of natural beauty and rugged individualism—but also poverty, ignorance, and general backwardness. Thus inspired, philanthropists began to move into the region to redress many of its perceived ills. This talk will explore the invention—and ongoing imagination—of Appalachia over the past 150 years, tracing its path through 19th century regional fiction, 20th century philanthropy, and 21st century pop culture.
