Flannery O Connor Critical Analysis

It is very true that many of Flannery O’Connor’s characters “prepare their own ends;” O’Connor ensures the reader that they always get what they deserve, regardless of how “mean” or cruel of an author it seems to make her appear to be. O’Connor’s willingness to punish those who are rude, malicious, or simply obnoxious is never ending and not universally despised by everyone. It is arguable that most of her characters are not very likable, and it is hard to pick a favorite or choose a side when all of them are rather unappealing in one way or another. For instance, in O’Connor’s story “Revelation,” the two female characters who appear to strike a conflict in the doctor’s waiting room are portrayed as appalling in one way or another. Mrs. Turpin may look like a hardworking, dedicated, thankful woman, but how highly she thinks of herself and her controversial views on blacks make her appear as conceited and highly racist. …show more content…
As expected, both of them eventually meet their “ends”: the girl is sent to the hospital and said to be labelled a “lunatic” for attacking一perhaps even knocking some sense into一 Mrs. Turpin, and Mrs. Turpin has to deal with the girls’ vile comment, “Go back to hell where you came from, you old wart hog,” (400) and realizes that she isn’t any better than those she previously thought were under her, highly upsetting her in the process. Although some may think that in this, and other O’Connor stories, the characters receive unjustifiable punishments, it can also be argued that, without said severe consequences, characters will not realize their wrongdoings and will be virtually