Flannery O'Connor

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses various literary works by Flannery O'Connor, claiming that her work is successful because it illustrates the frailty of the human condition in a unique, memorable way. The paper explores how O'Connor uses the grotesque to emphasize man's worst characteristics. Exaggerated characters in humorous situations help O'Connor comment on the hypocrisy, ignorance, bigotry, and evil she finds in society. The paper examines how she incorporates elements from her experiences in living in the South and her Catholic upbringing into these stories to emphasize her points.

From the Paper:

"Flannery O'Connor is considered to be one of most successful writers of her time because her stories emphasize many of basic human struggles through grotesque, often exaggerated characters. Her unique style stresses the fact that hypocrisy, ignorance, and bigotry come in all shapes and sizes. Set in the American South, layered with irony and comedy, and flavored with religious tones, O'Connor's stories force us to examine sensitive and difficult issues. From the religiously dead Misfit and Mr. Shiflet to the spiritually blind Mrs. Turpin, O'Connor's characters show us how grace and redemption can be painful aspects of life. Arrogance and ignorance show their true colors with Mrs. Crater and Hulga. All of these characters are grotesque but represent humanity in some of its weakest states. With them, O'Connor successfully illustrates that people are seldom what they seem."

More papers on Flannery O'Connor:

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• Analytical Essay # 33793 : "Irony in the Works of Flannery O'Connor"
• Book Review # 119068 : "Flannery O'Connor"
• Analytical Essay # 7728 : "Flannery O'Connor: "A Good Man is Hard to Find"

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