South Folk

There is no book titled "South Folk" by Philip Threlfall Wilson and Neil Alexander Cox. The sources provided do not mention such a book. However, the topics discussed in the sources can give us a comprehensive overview of the themes and elements related to Southern folk culture, which might be relevant to understanding a hypothetical book on this subject.

Themes in Southern Folk Culture

1. Historical Background:

   • Research on American settlement history can help explore the old-world backgrounds for the South's folk culture.

2. Lost Cause of the Confederacy:

   • The Lost Cause narrative, developed around 1900, emphasized a triumphalism for the New South but suppressed memories of slavery, the trauma of African Americans, and the bloody realities of war.

3. Folk Songs and Poetry:

   • Folk songs and poetry of Southern Negroes often portrayed themes of love, pity, and assistance. These songs were a means of courtship and depicted the wandering and rambling thoughts of the negroes.

4. Orality and Folk Humor:

   • In Old South folk humor, exaggerations were accompanied by comic understatement. The social folkways of oral culture were significant in the South, where girls were expected to have a nimble wit and a tongue to meet all occasions.

5. Black Migration and Identity:

   • Southern migrants developed a sense of ethnic identity around symbols of rural culture, including food and music. The blues, for example, was a pivotal force born out of African American experiences and themes of movement and escape.

Hypothetical Book Overview

If "South Folk" were a real book, it might explore these themes in depth. Here’s a hypothetical summary:

Plot Summary:

• The book could delve into the historical background of Southern folk culture, exploring how American settlement history influenced the region's cultural practices.
• It might also examine the Lost Cause narrative and its impact on Southern identity, highlighting the suppressed memories and traumas.
• The book could feature folk songs and poetry as a central element, showcasing how these songs reflect the lives and experiences of Southern Negroes.
• It might also discuss the role of orality in Southern culture, including the importance of wit and conversation in social interactions.
• Finally, it could explore the themes of black migration and identity, discussing how symbols like food and music contributed to the development of ethnic identity among Southern migrants.

Critical Reception:

• Without actual reviews or critical reception data for "South Folk," it's impossible to provide a comprehensive overview of how critics might have received the book. However, based on the themes and elements typically explored in works about Southern folk culture, it's likely that the book would be praised for its nuanced exploration of historical context, cultural practices, and the complexities of identity.

In summary, while there is no actual book titled "South Folk" by Philip Threlfall Wilson and Neil Alexander Cox, the themes and elements discussed in the provided sources give us a rich understanding of the broader context of Southern folk culture.