In the first part, the diploma thesis will deal with the characteristics of the literature of the American South and will provide an overview of its main themes (history of the region, the importance of the family, life in a small community, man's conflict with religion, the sense of justice, the sense of humor and others). In the overview of American Southern authors, it will try to characterize typical features of southern prose, and set borders of the region. The main task of the thesis will be the analysis of William Faulkner's short stories: A Rose for Emily, Red Leaves, Dry September, That Evening Sun, Mountain Victory and Barn Burning. Based on the short story analysis, it will focus on Faulkner's relation to the American South. Part of the thesis will be a chapter dedicated to the grotesque genre and to the literary category of American Gothic.