Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Consider the history of Georgia, one of the most populated states in the US. What are some of its major cities? How has its geographic location in the south shaped its history? What are some of the similarities and differences between the lifestyles of individuals in southern and northern states?

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Answer question invites students to consider the geographic context of Berendt’s text: the lifestyle of Savannah, Georgia. As a former Confederate state that once relied on enslavement for economic purposes, Georgia’s history stands in contrast to northern industrial states. Berendt notes that Savannahians are particularly proud of their culture and see themselves as different from the rest of Georgia. However, The Duality of Traditional Savannah points to a double-standard; many communities are forced to live marginalized from mainstream society. For students with no prior knowledge on the state of Georgia, consider providing access to the first link below, which may be a helpful starting point for discussion.

• This entry from New Georgia Encyclopedia discusses the history of the state of Georgia.
• This article from the National Park Service contains questions for lower-level students about the role of Savannah in Georgia’s colonial history. (Teacher-appropriate; not student facing.)

2. Literary journalism is a style of reporting that expresses nonfiction accounts in a narrative format. Can nonfiction works take liberties with content and still be considered true and accurate? In what ways could it be beneficial or harmful to add fictional elements to a nonfictional account?

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Answer question invites students to consider the genre of literary journalism as a form of nonfiction and its relation to the theme of Genre Bending and the Role of the Journalist. Berendt uses literary journalism, also referred to as “New Journalism” or “Creative Nonfiction,” in his approach by presenting interviews and facts within a narrative style. Berendt’s later admission that he inserted himself into several scenes for fictional purposes raises the question of his role within the account. The movie adaptation takes similar liberties, adding romantic interest and highlighting the narrator’s role (see the first paired resource for Chapters 8-14). Before students begin, consider having a discussion about perspective and how an individual’s experience of the same event may differ from another’s. It may be helpful to discuss why this happens, how these perceptions can simultaneously be true, and the ways experience relates to nonfiction. This Short Answer question segues to the Short Activity.

• This entry from Britannica offers an analytical overview of the New Journalism genre.
• This interview from Penguin Random House explores Berendt’s style of nonfiction writing (please note: this link connects with the first Recommended Next Read).

Short Activity

Berendt’s account possesses elements of the “Southern Gothic” genre of literature. Working in small groups, research this genre and select one short story to analyze, summarize, and share with the class. In your presentation, include applicable images and/or video adaptations. Consider the similarity of elements within this genre among your classmates’ selections.

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Activity invites students to explore Southern Gothic literature in the context of group work and presentation. It may be helpful to come together briefly after students complete the first step to create a class-wide list of Southern Gothic elements; this could help students fill gaps in their understanding. Then, students could choose a story to analyze with these elements in mind. Using the resources below, students may explore some of the most notable authors of the genre, while also understanding how Berendt’s work relates to other Southern Gothic pieces.

• This article from Oxford Research Encyclopedias explores the history and notable figures of the Southern Gothic genre.
• “What next for the Southern Gothic?” from the University of Cambridge’s newspaper Varsity explores the evolution of Southern Gothic literature.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

In which ways have people historically sought to “maintain appearances” in society? Consider the social, economic, and political ramifications of maintaining a certain appearance. How has this changed over time?

Teaching Suggestion: This Personal Connection Prompt invites students to consider the theme Appearances Versus Reality from their own perspectives. For the Savannahians in Berendt’s account, maintaining certain appearances is crucial for surviving in their community. The setting is an important component in why Savannahians would need to adhere to social expectations, as the Savannah that Berendt presents in the mid-to-late 20th century is predominately Christian with partially segregated neighborhoods, where individuals are taught social norms at an early age. Before students respond to the Prompt, consider having them reflect on the social norms they learned when they were growing up, and how these norms reflected their community. This Prompt segues directly to the Discussion/Analysis Prompt.

Differentiation Suggestion: For more advanced classes, as well as those who feel comfortable discussing the subject, this Personal Connection Prompt may be amended to the following question: How has US society’s attitude changed towards the LGBTQI+ community in the past century? Are there places in the US that are more accepting of others? If so, where and what are the possible reasons for this?