What is Regionalism? (modernism 7)

The video provides international examples, such as Mary Webb's novels set in rural Shropshire, James Joyce writing about Dublin, and the surge of non-French language literature in France in the 1920s. It also briefly mentions a movement in 1930s China to adopt more colloquial language in literature.

Regionalism is primarily considered a North American movement, largely emerging in reaction to the Great Depression. The economic downturn shifted power dynamics, allowing voices from outside the mainstream to be heard. This led to writers from smaller towns gaining prominence.

This section introduces regionalism as a feature of modernism, explaining how 20th-century literature began to shift from urban, high-class settings to small towns and minority communities, a contrast to the prevailing 19th-century canonical literature.

Examples of North American regionalist authors include William Faulkner (Mississippi), Sarah Orne Jewett (rural Maine), Lula Grace Erdman (Frontier Texas), Jack London (Alaskan Klondike, California, Hawaii), Sherwood Anderson (Ohio), Sinclair Lewis (Minnesota), and Upton Sinclair (Chicago's meatpacking district). These authors depicted diverse geographical and social landscapes, showcasing the lives of ordinary people.

This segment highlights the emergence of non-white voices in regionalism. Sui Sin Far (Chinese American lives in Seattle and San Francisco), Zitkala-Sa (fraud against Osage people in Oklahoma), and Zora Neale Hurston (black rural characters in 'Their Eyes Were Watching God') are discussed. The post-WWII publication of 'Pocho' by José Antonio Villarreal is also mentioned, addressing the Mexican-American experience.

Regionalism extended beyond literature into other art forms. Grant Wood's 'American Gothic' is presented as an example in visual art, depicting ordinary farmers. John Steuart Curry is also cited for his regionalist paintings. In music, the rise of American folk, Blues, Tejano, Cajun, Zydeco, and country music (like Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family) demonstrated a similar regional focus.

The video concludes by emphasizing the lasting impact of regionalism on promoting diversity and inclusiveness in literature and art. It suggests that regionalism was a precursor to the contemporary movement towards greater representation of various cultures and experiences, hinting that today's non-mainstream art may become tomorrow's classics.