-Many Southern elements in the stories, including dialect, habits and personalities. The history of the South is represented through the settings of the stories.
-Characters are usually complex, and many of them are mentally unstable. Many characters are broken in spirit and struggling to find a place in society again.
-Morality of characters is often questioned.
-Plots can be disturbing and some do include supernatural elements. -Often contain ironic events as a writing style.
-Many of the events contained in the stories are linked to racism, violence and poverty.