Participation Type
Paper
Session Title
Session 4.02 Stereotypes
Presentation #1 Title
Denise Giardina's Resurrection of Appalachian Identity through the Subversion of Stereotypes
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Author Denise Giardina subverts stereotypes about Appalachia in her coalfield novels. “Well my Daddy came from coal dust, and me I'm 'bout the same. If you've read King Coal's ledger book then you've seen my family name.” Keep Your Dirty Lights On, by Tim O'Brien and Darrell Scott For centuries, yellow journalists and industrialists have been the main propagators of Appalachian stereotypes upon which hordes of outsiders have capitalized. These stereotypes cast Appalachian residents as stupid, violent, inbred barbarians. This dehumanization helps justify the extortion of human and natural resources that is an inextricable part of Appalachia's economy and history. In response to this oppression, many Appalachian authors write about characters who are completely divorced from these stereotypes. Denise Giardina chooses a third way, working with characters in Storming Heaven and The Unquiet Earth who, at first glance, play into stereotyped roles. However, through her intimate narrative of each's life story, thoughts, and responses to intra- and extra-community forces, Giardina reintroduces humanity to the characters in each role. Her characters then become both individuals and nuanced archetypes of race, class, and gender in Giardina's microcosms of “Justice” (Mingo, WV) and “Paine” (Pike, KY) Counties. She thereby addresses, refutes, and ultimately subverts Appalachian stereotypes with the force of her compelling characterization.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Randi B. Hagi is a graduate of Eastern Mennonite University (BA in Writing Studies, 2014). Randi calls Seneca Rocks, WV and Harrisonburg, VA home.
Denise Giardina's Resurrection of Appalachian Identity through the Subversion of Stereotypes
Author Denise Giardina subverts stereotypes about Appalachia in her coalfield novels. “Well my Daddy came from coal dust, and me I'm 'bout the same. If you've read King Coal's ledger book then you've seen my family name.” Keep Your Dirty Lights On, by Tim O'Brien and Darrell Scott For centuries, yellow journalists and industrialists have been the main propagators of Appalachian stereotypes upon which hordes of outsiders have capitalized. These stereotypes cast Appalachian residents as stupid, violent, inbred barbarians. This dehumanization helps justify the extortion of human and natural resources that is an inextricable part of Appalachia's economy and history. In response to this oppression, many Appalachian authors write about characters who are completely divorced from these stereotypes. Denise Giardina chooses a third way, working with characters in Storming Heaven and The Unquiet Earth who, at first glance, play into stereotyped roles. However, through her intimate narrative of each's life story, thoughts, and responses to intra- and extra-community forces, Giardina reintroduces humanity to the characters in each role. Her characters then become both individuals and nuanced archetypes of race, class, and gender in Giardina's microcosms of “Justice” (Mingo, WV) and “Paine” (Pike, KY) Counties. She thereby addresses, refutes, and ultimately subverts Appalachian stereotypes with the force of her compelling characterization.
