Structural Similarities in the Short Stories of Flannery O'Connor

Paper Summary:

A focus on the five main characters of these stories (Mrs. May, Hulga, Mrs. Turpin, Julian, and his mother) . It shows how they are all based on a common denominator in their character makeup, that of emotional contempt for the world they inhabit and, even more, contempt for themselves. O'Connor sets up these characters with inflated egos, then she pulls the rug out from under the characters in a climactic moment. Ironically, each character is smashed by something he or she held in contempt.

From the Paper:

"The pattern consists of three stages: (1) the author makes use of the omniscient point of view, allowing the reader to be privy
to all the characters' thoughts and motives; (2) then a disconcerting and jolting climax occurs, usually very harsh for the character; and (3) readers finally discover how this climax affects the characters."

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