From the very beginning the South was different. The source and
significance of this difference has been debated and discussed
for over 200 years. In recent decades, the demise of the South
as a regional culture has frequently been predicted, although
now some scholars and journalists are maintaining that it is
proving to be remarkably resilient and is actually having an
ever greater influence on the broader American culture. Southern
Culture examines the origins and evolution of the region’s
culture and focuses on six key patterns that have defined it:
agrarianism, class relations, race relations, gender and family
traditions, evangelical Christianity, and political traditions.
Southern Culture also explores the products of the culture with
major sections on dialect, painting, architecture, pottery,
music, literature, and icons and myths. It concludes with essays
by each of the authors in which they reflect on where Southern
culture is headed. This new edition includes updating of the
chapter on politics as