‹ Appalachia: Where the Squids Hate the Chalkies

KB Journal: The Journal of the Kenneth Burke Society Apr 2010 web Open Access

‹ Appalachia: Where the Squids Hate the Chalkies

Abstract

In November 2004, [adult swim] previewed an animated show about a family of quasi-anthropomorphic, endangered land squids living in the Appalachian region of northern Georgia. This show, Squidbillies , is typical in its portrayal of the Cuyler family as an impoverished, uneducated and fiercely xenophobic family of hillbillies reminiscent of other Hollywood representations of the Appalachian region. Although on its surface the show appears to be yet another satire about hillbillies and rednecks, further investigation into the show’s narrative reveals an emergent concept of otherness in how the writers portray non-Appalachian groups, specifically suburban whites (referred to as “yogurt lovin’ ‘Chalkies’”). In these depictions, the writers use satire to express a sense of self-depreciating humor toward their own culture. This paper examines the concept of otherness emergent in Squidbillies , specifically focusing on how the priming of the hillbilly stereotype is used as a literary device to introduce and comment on Chalkie culture.

Journal: KB Journal: The Journal of the Kenneth Burke Society
Published: 2010-04
CompPile: Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access: OA PDF Gold
Topics: editorial matter
Export: BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Citation data not yet available for this article.

Citation data is not available for KB Journal: The Journal of the Kenneth Burke Society. This journal's publisher does not deposit reference lists with CrossRef.