Culture Wars in Gothic Mode: The Example of HBO’s Miniseries Sharp Objects

Cultural and political polarization in The United States has been a prominent topic both social sciences the media since beginning of 1990s. Whether is understood as deep moral divide among Americans, i.e., culture war between liberals conservatives, or superficially maintained hostility, party sorting Democrats Republicans, most scholars agree that sphere deeply polarized, especially 2016 when Donald Trump emerged figure then U.S. president. HBO, known for its progressive cultural capital liberal ethos, distinguishes itself daring narrative productions which often tackle polarizing themes race, gender, sexuality, etc. Gothic mode genre often-employed styles productions. American gothic, also subject increasing academic interest recent decades, largely considered within historical context interpreted site where nation’s benighted ghosts disrupt challenge official enlightened national narratives. As HBO’s original production told gothic mode, Sharp Objects (2018) will be contextualized wars analyzed Southern tale from perspective. show’s seen journey into South by heroine haunted her conservative ghosts, who attempts to face settle them. paper explores thesis disruptive potential conditional limited impact on America’s Enlightenment narrative.