Skip to main content
Why SubmitSubmit

Local Color and the Discovery of Appalachia

tsharetshare

Loading preview...

Use cases

Literature reviewLiterature review

About

Local Color and the Discovery of Appalachia is a 61-node mind map that traces how post-Civil War middle-class magazines constructed Appalachia as a 'discrete region' through local color writing. It covers key works like Harney's 'A Strange Land and Peculiar People' (1873), the rise of uplift literature in the 1890s, and the physical stereotypes (e.g., 'sallow skin', 'dull hair') that defined the region. The template explores the tension between America and Appalachia, the role of 'otherness' in shaping perception, and how publications established the conventional view of Appalachia. Ideal for students of American literature, cultural studies, or regional history, this Local Color and the Discovery of Appalachia mind map provides a structured analysis of the literary and social forces that created a lasting regional identity.

Terms and Conditions

When to use this template

Professors and graduate students in American literature or cultural studies

Preparing a lecture or seminar on the literary construction of regional identity in post-Civil War America.

Undergraduate and graduate researchers in history or media studies

Writing a research paper on the role of middle-class magazines in shaping stereotypes of Appalachia.

High school or college teachers designing a literature or social studies module

Developing a curriculum unit on local color writing and its impact on regional perception.

How to use this template

Step 1

Launch and Explore Core Concepts

Open the template in Xmind and navigate through the main branches to understand how local color writing framed Appalachia as a discrete region.

Step 2

Analyze Details and Customize Content

Select specific nodes like Harney's work to review historical details and add your own research notes or visual elements to the map.

Step 3

Finalize and Share Your Analysis

Adjust the layout to highlight key cultural tensions and export your completed study as a PDF or image for academic presentation.

Frequently asked questions

This mind map explores how post-Civil War middle-class magazines used local color writing to define Appalachia as a distinct, 'other' region. It covers key publications, literary techniques, and stereotypes that shaped the conventional view of Appalachia.

It's designed for students, researchers, and educators in American literature, cultural studies, history, or regional studies who want to analyze the construction of Appalachian identity through 19th-century media.

The template covers 'otherness', Harney's 1873 article, 'uplift literature' of the 1890s, physical stereotypes, and the role of magazines in establishing Appalachia as a 'discrete region' separate from mainstream America.

It has one sheet with a central root and eight major branches: local color perspective, local color literature, the 1890s, physical appearance, established region, separation from America, publications, and the emergence of 'Appalachia'.

Yes, you can edit any node, add notes, change colors, or insert images. The template is fully editable in Xmind desktop or web.

Xmind offers both free and premium templates. Check the Xmind template marketplace for the current pricing or availability of this mind map.

Got an inspiring template?

Share your mind map templates with creators around the world and start earning from your work.

Free template