The Southerner: A Romance of the Real Lincoln

"The Southerner: A Romance of the Real Lincoln" by Thomas Dixon is a novel written in the early 20th century. This work explores the personal and social dynamics of Southern life around the time of Abraham Lincoln, incorporating themes of family, education, and personal ambition. The narrative follows a man named Tom, who is portrayed as a rugged pioneer facing the introspective struggle of balancing his humble, rural life with the aspirations set forth by his ambitious wife, Nancy. At the start of the novel, the reader is introduced to Tom and Nancy in their rustic cabin, revealing the challenges they face in their daily lives. Tom, a proud and strong man, struggles with the desire for a simple life in the woods, while Nancy dreams of educating him and elevating their status in society. Her determination and vision for their future are contrasted against Tom's reluctance to embrace change. As the story unfolds, Nancy's ambitions lead her to envision a brighter future for their unborn son, foreshadowing the larger historical and societal themes that will be interwoven throughout their lives. The opening chapters establish not only their relationship dynamics but also the backdrop of the Southern experience during a transformative era in American history. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Thomas Frederick Dixon Jr. was an American Baptist minister, politician, lawyer, lecturer, writer, and filmmaker. Dixon wrote two best-selling novels, The Leopard's Spots: A Romance of the White Man's Burden—1865–1900 (1902) and The Clansman: A Historical Romance of the Ku Klux Klan (1905), that romanticized Southern white supremacy, endorsed the Lost Cause of the Confederacy, opposed equal rights for black people, and glorified the Ku Klux Klan as heroic vigilantes. Film director D. W. Griffith adapted The Clansman for the screen in The Birth of a Nation (1915). The film inspired the creators of the 20th-century rebirth of the Klan.