The Medievalish McCarthy: Medieval Afterlives in Appalachian Literature

This dissertation argues for a more adaptive reading of medieval texts by viewing them as artifacts of culture throughout time rather than solely in their time of creation. In essence, it explores the afterlives of medieval texts. Using Cormac McCarthy’s first five novels—The Orchard Keeper, Outer Dark, Child of God, Suttree. and Blood Meridian—as illustrations, this study shows how McCarthy adeptly employed medieval elements in his writing to present a curated depiction of Appalachian people and their region. Themes of idealized medieval nature, Arthurian legend, language, and names permeate the novels, and Child of God even functions as a retelling of Beowulf with Lester Ballard as an analog for Grendel. Aside from the published novels, this project also includes evidence from early draft manuscripts, McCarthy’s correspondence, and first-hand accounts of his literary interests.