Who Is Mary Grace In Flannery O 'Connor's Revelation'

The concepts of social class, prejudice and grace are combined to weave a fascinating snippet of time in the life of Mrs. Turpin, the main character in Flannery O’Conner’s short story entitled “Revelation”. The story begins with Mrs. Turpin, and her husband, in a doctor’s waiting room. As they wait, she sizes up, categorizes, and passes judgment on each person in the room. While Mrs. Turpin views herself as a good, southern, Christian woman; the story reveals she has much to learn about her true nature, and her values. The Turpin’s are, by their own definition, a middle class family. While waiting, Mrs. Turpin chooses someone, of whom she considers from her own class, to engage in polite conversation. Mary Grace, the woman’s daughter who has been labeled ugly, can see her for who she is. During the conversation, Mrs. Turpin’s views become apparent, as she sees most in the room as “white trash”, uneducated and unintelligent. She makes mental notes of their appearances and possessions, specifically their shoes. The two women talk about the importance of being clean, hardworking, grateful, and above all, possessing a good disposition, as if these are clear …show more content…
Turpin, hitting her over the left eye. Ironically, by throwing the book entitled, “Human Development”, Mary Grace is opening the doorway for Mrs. Turpin to receive the grace of God, in a vision at the end of the story. After the book is thrown, and she physically attacks Mrs. Turpin, she calls her and old wart hog and tells her to return to the hell from which she came. This leaves Mrs. Turpin confused and angry, as she cannot understand how God could allow a good Christian woman, such as herself to be treated in such a way and wonders if He is trying to send her a message. The ideas of her own goodness and superiority blind her to the reasons for Mary Grace’s hate and eventually her