In this article, I’m diving into two emotionally charged Southern narratives: Lucinda Williams’ song “Bus to Baton Rouge” from her album Essence and the film The Trip to Bountiful (1985). Both works evoke a poignant longing for an idyllic past, centered on the journey back to a childhood home, which has become as much a symbol of memory and loss as it is a physical place.
Careful readers will note the quality of contemporary fiction (see literature) cited in this article. Pleasure reading for me was not an excuse to lose hours in purple prose or dime store novelettes.
My introduction to Barry Holstun Lopez’s writings was Desert Notes and River Notes. The Raven, an essay from Desert Notes has received academic and critical notice for its subtlety. Broadly speaking it is an exploration of the contrast and comparison between Ravens and Crows.