Dirty South

Exploring the constructed image of the South, this book delves into its associations with dirt and pollution, tracing these themes from iconic 1970s works to contemporary culture. It examines how horror films, comics, and music reflect and challenge southern identity, particularly since the civil rights era. By pairing historical and modern texts, the author reveals the complexities of southern dirtiness and its impact on identity formation, boundaries, and cultural perceptions, ultimately illustrating how these notions serve to anchor societal ideas rather than reflect authenticity.