Final answer:
Southern Gothic characterization is a sub-genre of Southern literature that explores dark themes and uses elements of the grotesque.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is Southern Gothic characterization, which is a sub-genre of Southern literature. It emerged during the Southern Renaissance as writers attempted to define the South as a distinct and unique place. Southern gothic writing incorporates elements of the grotesque and explores dark themes associated with the supernatural and the disturbing nature of reality.