Evaluation of O'Connor's Writing

An Evaluation of O'Connor's Writing

Flannery O'Connor was an incredible author, unique in her writing style, with violence, dark humor, but not in the spirit of bitterness, rather in pursuit of pointing an audience towards a greater revelation, which is mankind's utter failures and hypocrisy, and their need for grace. Throughout her work, there are twists, turns, shocking reveals, and humanly flawed characters many can identify and connect with. She uses a wide span of literary tools, such as foreshadowing, irony, symbolism, and her writing style is one of showing, not telling. All of this she does with talent and genius, for she is an incredible author unlike any others especially during her time.

Three of her short stories highlights a particular literary device that she uses exceptionally well. In “A Good Man is Hard to Find” she exceptionally uses her “showing not telling” form of writing to articulate to her readers what kind of character the main protagonist, the Grandmother, is, and in relation to everyone else in the family. The story also keenly uses foreshadowing from start to finish in the entire story, pointing to the tragic death of the family by the cruel Misfit.

Another story that uses a literary device, irony, to dark comedic proportions is “Good Country People.” In that story, O'Connor cleverly subverts expectations while intensifying the dreadful suspension that something bad is certainly going to happen and then it's shockingly revealed that the innocent Bible salesman is not so innocent. He steals Hulga's wooden leg, which is a tragic and horrible thing, but also something you don't read everyday. The irony of the entire situation brings about curious questions in how we see seemingly innocent people.

Finally, the use of symbolism and flawed characters are highlighted in “Revelation” where the main character Mrs. Turpin is confronted with the realization that she isn't as perfect and good, better than everyone, as she once believed. It by a heavenly vision that she begins to understand that all people go to heaven and that virtues are burned away. All that can save one's self is the Grace of God.

In reading Flannery O'Connor's works, one gets an entertaining read from the shocking twists, human three-dimensional characters, in an almost haunting post-Civil War Southern Gothic tone and vibe. The reader also gets something more, however. There is always something beneath the surface of O'Connor's stories which is what makes them so good. There is symbolism along with a revelation and theme throughout every one, always something to find and discover. Flanney O'Connor's stories are packed and full in every sentence, and all pointing to grace, through the unconventional use of violence and tragedy. An inspiring author who shocked her readers while subliminally referring to Christ—there's no one quite like Flannery O'Connor.

Resources:

The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature, pg. 350-400