Analysis Of Dr. Ted Ownby's Subduing Satan

-The author of the novel in question, Subduing Satan, has extensive experience in southern culture. Dr. Ted Ownby is the Director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi, and he offers a paramount dissection of the male persona. This piece discusses Religion, recreation, and manhood in the rural south from 1865-1920. This time period of the American south faced many difficulties such as that of the Reconstruction of the South fueled with racial tension, as well as the First World War. The piece describes in great detail the culture of the American southern male in his relationships with the world given world around him, as well as the many influences such as the culture of toughness as well as the …show more content…
This aspect of the male culture is stated by the author to have two aspects professional entertainment, which did not become popular until the early twentieth century, secondly of higher importance, were “unorganized” past times on main street, the area stated by the author, such as spending time within the saloons, blacksmith shops, and other areas within the town. These areas teemed with masculinity contests, boisterous behavior, and alcohol. Due to the women and children with the exception special times of leisure, in the novel Saturday, this can be seen as an escape from the morally pure home that revolved around a culture of drinking and competitive comradery. Another area spoken lightly upon by Ownby is the professional entertainment on the Main Street. The fascination with the circus is the example provided. It can be seen as an outlet to the everyday norm as well as a stimulation of the individual’s sensibilities. Also, wisely touching upon through the discrepancies between the evangelical society and the travelling circus and the allowance of its continuation can its importance truly be seen. The plantation is another aspect of the male persona in the piece. The author …show more content…
The cock fight was also fueled by high intensity emotions as well as the gambling associated with the sport. This sport faced difficulties due to the associated vices and is shown well by the author how recreations within the plantation crept into other aspects of the Southern male’s life. Life on the farm is also deliberated upon in quality detail by the author. Different aspects such as rituals associated with the harvest as well the time spent during work-sharing which was also commonly associated with alcohol fueled competition between one another. Also, spoken upon is the more supporting role performed by the women of the society. The author relates the harvest celebrations to aspects such as religion, a release from the everyday life, as well as the counterbalance to the masculine filled culture. The second part of the novel takes more into account the evangelical culture of the time. Areas such as the home, the church, and the Revival meeting are discussed. The home as stated by the author to be where, “evangelists faced their primary concerns about personal morality.’ Accompanied by another sacred center for the southern man is the church, which offered