The purpose of this thesis is to review some of the folk and analytical evaluations concerning the nature and function of the blues tradition. It has been hypothesized that the term "gutbucket" signifies a distinctly negative attitude. This notion has wide-spread acceptance among American blacks as well as whites. The form of musical expression known as the blues has been traditionally regarded as "gutbucket" music. This attitude has resulted from definite misconceptions concerning the cultural, historical and aesthetic meaning of the blues. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the basis for these presumed negative attitudes while either substantiating or refuting the above premise.