Introduction
Flannery O’Connor’s short stories, titled “Revelation” and “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” were written at different points in the woman’s life, but they still display a number of similarities in their narrative core, messaging, and themes. These two pieces have a lot in common while also possessing some unique qualities in terms of plot development, characters, and the overall feel they foster in the reader. I think that by comparing these two stories I will have the ability to measure the changes in the literary style of Flannery O’Connor, as well as gain a better understanding of the central problems she puts forth in her work. “A Good Man Is Hard to Find”, as one of the earlier works of the author, displays the themes of human imperfection and sin in a poignant, yet reserved manner, highlighting O’Connor’s thoughts on the nature of the human condition with her portrayal of characters.
In “Revelation”, the characters are similarly painted in a harsh light, with more negative personas taking the center stage. In both narratives, the characters find the world around them to be deficient or wrong in a way but attribute the discrepancy to other, innocent people or factors entirely unrelated to themselves. Red Sammy, from “A Good Man Is Hard to Find”, states that “Everything is getting terrible.
I remember the day you could go off and leave your screen door unlatched. Not no more”. This outlook is permeated and supported by the grandmother character, who is unable to see her own lack of compassion. The main character of “Revelation” is also unable to recognize her own negative qualities, and mentally puts down the people less fortunate than her. It is most wholly evident in her description of the social hierarchy. “On the bottom of the heap were most colored people, not the kind she would have been if she had been one, but most of them”. The main hero manages not only to disrespect others but elevate herself at the same time. In both stories, the heroes are a source of social discord and the instigators of their own downfall.
Themes
A common theme found within these two stories as well as the rest of Flannery O’Connor’s work, is that they are centered on deeply flawed individuals. Most of the characters are associated with different voices and can be seen engaging in behaviors or manners that are Generally frowned upon. Most of them, however, hide behind the masks of virtue, honesty, or dignity, which are used to conceal their true emotions and create an appearance of proper life. This curtain of lies quickly begins to crumble under the weight of external circumstances as well as cases of divine interference or revelations. Speaking chronologically, “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” was written first, so the examination is better started from there.
The plot centers on a dysfunctional family of five people, The grandmother, her son, his wife, and their two children. All the characters are depicted with a number of negative qualities, and none of them seemed to display a shred of respect or admiration for each other, making the image of the family appear to be a parody of The American ideal. The grandmother can be considered the main character in this story as she is the focal point of the narrative and the character that is present for the longest period in the story.
She can be described as self-centered, arrogant, and stuck in the past as she feels the need to put her feelings before others and prioritize her own needs before the thoughts of the other members of the family. She is incapable of showing compassion or understanding other people in a full manner. Because her own perception of self is too distorted. The flaws in her character are ever-present and are the primary drivers behind the ending of the story, which is tragic for the whole family. Due to her inability to admit her own mistakes, show weakness or understand others to a meaningful degree, she brings her family members into a deadly encounter.
In the case of the “Revelation”, the situation is similar in a way. The main heroine, Mrs. Turpin Considers herself to be a deeply virtuous and good individual mainly due to her high status in society, and artificial displays of goodwill toward people less fortunate than her. During the reader’s first introduction to the character, she is seen mentally categorizing people into groups based on their perceived importance in her eyes. Her view on others, especially black minorities, is bigoted and limited in its perspective. During a visit to a doctor’s office, the woman is assaulted by another girl named Mary Grace, who calls out the main character’s behavior and thoughts as though she knows her personally.
The action deeply affects Mrs. Turpin, who is shaken to her very core by the encounter. Unable to personally reconcile with the scornful attitude received, the woman tries to soothe her own emotions by Helping black people for self-satisfaction. Through the woman’s depiction, her inner thoughts and actions reader can see. That her positive contributions to society are done explicitly to fuel her own sense of ego and are not the result of inner virtuousness goodwill or a desire to help someone. Both works depict flawed people who are unable to truly connect with others due to their own shortcomings and perceptions of self. Both the grandmother and Mrs. Turpin have somewhat unlikeable characteristics and yet are made the main characters of their respective stories.
Another interesting theme that permeates throughout the author’s work is the theme of divine interference or God. In the case of the first story, the presence of God is less overt and can be seen through the dialogue between the misfit and the grandmother. The Misfit shares his own perspective on the order of the world, people’s role in it, and the existence of God. The grandmother at the same time tries to gain the favor of the Misfit in an effort not to get killed, which fails miserably because she is unable to connect with people. She tries to convince him that he is not an evil person, saying: “you shouldn’t call yourself The Misfit because I know you’re a good man at heart.
I can just look at you and tell”, which is instantly rejected by the man himself. In the moment of Epiphany in the last minutes of her life, she, however, is able to find a sense of connection and purpose within another person. And considers the misfit as one of her children a product of a deeply sinful society they all live in. In revelation, the main character Similarly, finds a connection with God at the end of her story. In her case, the circumstances are less dramatic and the presentation is made more comical than serious, but the event is still treated and considered to be important within the narrative.
Feeling the weight of negative emotions after the incident in the doctor’s office, she breaks down and gets into the argument with God Himself in a pigpen. She sees a march of people walking into heaven, with those that she considered to be below her at the front, receiving the love and acceptance of God. The procession is described as: “a vast horde of souls was tumbling toward heaven”. Black people, persons that are less financially well off than the main hero, and other people that she has insulted in her head throughout this story all come before. The kinds of people Miss Turpin would consider to be truly virtuous. The whole encounter results in a revelation that changes the woman’s perspective on the world as well as her views. It can be seen as an act of saving from a merciful God.