Essay Questions

What characteristics does Drowning is Inevitable share with traditional Southern Gothic literature?

Southern Gothic literature is a distinctive style of fiction. It uses fictional narratives to explore social issues and the darkness of human nature, typically in a Southern setting. Drowning is Inevitable does exactly that: it's a novel set in Louisiana, part of the deep South, so the landscape is typical of Southern Gothic literature. There's plenty of irony and violence, two more major characteristics of the Southern Gothic movement. It explores the grotesque darkness of human nature in its character portraits (Mr. Benton, Vicky, Steven, Louis, Mark), the actions characters take (Jamie's killing of Mr. Benton, Steven's blackmail, Vicky's betrayal), and the general environment (drunks at clubs, the house full of drug addicts, etc.). There are even elements of the American Civil War: Olivia mentions St. Francisville's festival celebrating Captain John E Hart, an officer in the Union Navy during the Civil War. The general atmosphere of the novel, far from uplifting, is a sad contemplation of human life and the darkness the human heart can hold, which is perfectly in line with the Southern Gothic tradition.

How does Maggie test her mother's responsibility?

Immediately after reuniting with Maggie in New Orleans, Vicky walks into the back room of Steven's house, where Maggie is staying, to negotiate with her drug dealer. Maggie storms into the room as soon as her friends return, surprising her mother, and sits down in the chair Vicky has vacated. She bares her arm and tells the dealer, "Make me understand." Vicky only looks on, making no attempt to stop the proceedings, as the dealer prepares for the injection and begins to press the needle into Maggie's arm. When it becomes clear that Vicky isn't going to protest, Maggie stands up and furiously informs her that she failed the test of motherhood. This interaction is characteristic of Vicky, and it is the moment when Maggie makes the decision not to pursue reconciliation with her mother.