Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Definition

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings was an American author known for her novels set in rural Florida, particularly 'The Yearling,' which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1939. Her works often explore themes of nature, family, and the human experience, blending vivid descriptions with psychological depth that captures the complexities of her characters' lives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Rawlings moved to Florida in the 1920s, where she became deeply influenced by the state's rural landscape and culture, which shaped her writing.
2. Her work often features rich descriptions of the natural environment, reflecting her deep appreciation for the beauty and brutality of Florida's wilderness.
3. Rawlings was known for her ability to convey complex emotional experiences through simple yet powerful prose, making her characters relatable and real.
4. In addition to 'The Yearling,' she wrote several other notable works, including 'Cross Creek,' which reflects on her life in Florida and explores her connection to the land.
5. Rawlings' literary contributions helped to elevate the genre of Southern literature, as she provided a voice for rural experiences and highlighted the psychological realities of her characters.

Review Questions

• How does Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings use nature as a character in her works?
  • In her novels, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings often personifies nature, creating vivid landscapes that reflect the emotional states of her characters. The natural environment serves not only as a backdrop but also as a driving force in the story, influencing character decisions and their relationships with one another. This relationship between characters and their surroundings highlights the psychological realism present in her work, allowing readers to understand how nature shapes human experience.
• Discuss the significance of psychological realism in Rawlings' portrayal of her characters.
  • Psychological realism is prominent in Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings' work as it allows for deep exploration of her characters’ internal conflicts and emotional struggles. Through detailed descriptions of thoughts and feelings, she captures the complexity of human experience against the backdrop of rural Florida. This approach provides readers with insight into the characters' motivations and reactions to their environment, making them relatable and enhancing the emotional impact of her stories.
• Evaluate how Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings' writing reflects the themes of regionalism and psychological depth within American literature.
  • Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ writing embodies regionalism through its focused depiction of rural Florida life and its distinctive cultural elements. At the same time, she skillfully incorporates psychological depth by delving into her characters' inner lives and conflicts. This combination allows her to explore universal themes such as love, loss, and growth while remaining anchored in a specific setting. Her ability to weave these elements together not only enriches her narratives but also highlights the intricate relationship between environment and human psychology in American literature.

Related terms

The Yearling: A novel by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings that tells the story of a young boy and his pet deer, exploring themes of love, loss, and coming of age in the natural world.

Regionalism: A literary movement focusing on specific geographic areas, often highlighting local culture, dialects, and customs, which is a key element in Rawlings' writing.

Psychological Depth: The exploration of a character's inner thoughts, emotions, and motivations, which is significant in Rawlings' portrayal of her characters' struggles and growth.