In All The King's Men, Robert Penn Warren uses impressive, complex and decisive insults and observations that can be related to the southern vocabulary. A 'Southern' insult is often more colorful than a typical one. It is usually longer, and, if executed properly, can provide a metaphorical and existential blow. Not only are 'Southern' insults very different from typical ones, but commentary and description is superior as well. The stereotype of 'Southern' storytelling is that it is, when compared to a more typical form, more long-winded, and with better vocabulary. For instance, in one remark Jack makes on 'Tiny Duffy,' advanced and decisive vocabulary is used to provide the reader an insight into Jack's opinion. "Tiny Duffy is as sebaceous a fat-ass as ever made the spring groan in a swivel chair." This single quote provides an insight into Jack's opinion of Tiny Duffy. This quote is made more effective by the fusion of both formal and informal vocabulary, for instance " ... sebaceous a fat-ass ..." Reading this use of language is almost like being slapped around, with the Southern circumlocution and a different type of almost minimalistic narration that proves the point long before the synonyms and clarifications arrive. In this single quote, the point of the statement is quickly established, followed by " ... as ever made the spring groan in a swivel chair" The initial setup amplifies the follow-up to new levels that couldn't be achieved if the two were presented independently. Descriptions in the Southern style are very figurative, yet can be connected to reality with ease. For instance when Jack is sitting on a bench with several elderly people: "The place where time gets tangled in its own feet and lies down like a old hound that gives up the struggle." The element of relatable experiences and more existential themes are melded perfectly in this single description of a meeting place for old people. It provides a deeper insight into life, and what stage the people are in in their individual lives, without even addressing them individually or going into great depth to provide meaning to the simple scene. This is a perfect example of a piece of 'Southern-ism' seeing.
I agree with your points made here, I also think that the southern-isms are much more descriptive than the language we use on a daily basis such as when describing a movement Willie makes, "The kind of motion a horse gives just after the bit is in and he's full of beans" (12). These types of descriptions take much more effort than just saying he moved the hair out of his eye and give much better imagery.
ReplyDeleteAs Ms. Kitchens described, southerners tend to take more time to go about their day and they take more time with language to form a more interesting description or insult. We are introduced to this style of writing very early in the book, as the author describes Lucy Talos, Willie's wife. "Not that she was beefy, for she wasn't beefy and probably never would be, but you wouldn't have to catch her in the bath-tub to discover her sex," (7). This description is so much more interesting, as Finn and Sarah stated, and more thought out than simply saying "she was curvy." The author uses this style of writing, (using "Southern-isms"), throughout the novel, to describe something that might not interesting to read. For example, to describe a tone of voice the author might say, "...he said with a tone of voice which made you think of rubbing your hand down a cat's back, just as soft," (46).
DeleteThere's no doubt that Southern vocabulary, commentary and description is more sophisticated than others, as Finn and the book show great examples. I do enjoy the fascinating language used in this book, but I do wonder if there are any places anymore that actually use language like the language in "All the Kings Men". I have noticed that this southern style language used in the book, is unique in that the people that use it make creative and entertaining connections. These connections can happen when telling a story, insulting someone, or describing someone or something. On page 190 Willie insults Mr. White: "Shucks, I figured you didn't have any more initiative than a wet wash-rag dropped on the bath-room floor in a rooming-house for old maids". This is a perfect portrayal of the abstract connections made in this style of language. I can say that I look forward to more of this language throughout the book, as it is highly entertaining for the reader.
DeleteAdding on to your description of the writer's mastery of the art of Southern Insult that you have so elegantly defined, I also believe that Robert Warren uses not only the superior vocabulary and witty quick thinking to actively dismantle one's verbal opponent, but also utilizes an abundance of historical, and often biblical, illusions to increase the credibility of one's insult, and thus adding to the complexity of the Southernism. In several cases throughout the book, one of the most prominent being the confrontation between Sadie and Jack when she says that "Willie couldn't steal a vote from Abe Lincoln in the cradle of the Confederacy," (105) the author trades in a unique choice of vocabulary for a concrete, well known historical event that can push the insult even further. In this case, Sadie compares Willie's popularity in the eyes of the Louisiana voters to even lower levels than Abe Lincoln popularity with the southerners during his presidency. This statement epitomizes not only the writers ability to artfully craft a intricate historical analogy resulting in an artfully crafted southern insult, but also represents the historical depth many Southern insults.
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