Southern Gothic Romanticism

1) "The Southern Gothic movement in literature brings the atmosphere and sensibilities of the Gothic, a genre originating in late 18th century England, to the American South. As early Gothic writers used the genre in part to criticize what they saw as the moral blindness of the medieval era, so Southern Gothic writers deal with their own past through Gothic tropes. This genre is unusual as a genre in that it is significantly limited to a certain geographical space. Many of the most notable American authors of the 20th century wrote in this tradition, and the genre can be seen in music and film as well."
-Niki Foster, Wisegeek 

These tales are filled with the death and treachery that lurks within the human psyche.

These show the same traits as Gothic Romanticism, but reflected and conformed along the ideals of Southern style of living. This has to happen as southern life is far different than the Northeast.

2) First off, Miss Emily was utterly mad and spoke sheer madness for many parts of the story. The entire relationship between her and Homer was condemned by everyone, but after her father died, she was able to act upon her interests. Because the townsfolk could convince her to hold southern ideals on this subject, the forced her cousins upon her. After seeing that everyone, including Homer himself, wishes to halt her plans, she snaps and exterminates the 'rat' problem. When she was buying the poison itself, most clerks would question it thoroughly, but in her childlike demanding he pitied her and gave it to her "for rats"

3) The boy, first-off, did not have his thumb out to symbolize he wanted a ride. Mr. Shiflet used him as an opportunity to clear his conscience after abandoning Lucynell in the diner. He goes on to use his own mother as a sales pitch to the kid, who calls him out on his hypocrisy. The boy then leaps from the moving car into a ditch, abandoning him just as Lucynell was. This is the point of revelation to Mr. Shiflet. The ultimatum is now presented, he can either realize and repent his ways, or continue on this path of betrayal and bigotry, for he has become the very slime he claims to want to rid from this, God's earth.