Flannery O'Connor

In general, the controversial author is not afraid to show the reader their identity through the stories that they write. One such writer is Flannery O’Connor whose Southern roots and Catholic beliefs are easily identified in her short stories. Being born and raised in the South, I can easily identify this Southern association within her stories. The South is traditionally depicted as slow talking racist people who are at the same time very gentile and demand respect. O’Connor uses this idea and her experience as a Southerner to portray characters that fit into that criteria or ideal. She associates class distinction, which has always been big in the South, between not only blacks and whites, but also white trash and respectable Southern ladies. When O’Connor talks about the grandmother wanting to be seen as a lady and then her mentioning of the plantation, it automatically makes me see the South. I think that O’ Connor uses her Southern heritage and knowledge to almost make fun of Southerners. I mean who better to make fun of then someone you know in and out. I think that she uses her Catholic background to even further the Southern portrayal in her stories. Most people think that Southerners are all devout church goers who pray every day. I’m sure that the fact that you cannot go a block without seeing a church anywhere in the South has a lot to do with this. However, Flannery O’Conner uses the depiction of these deeply religious people to not necessarily preach, but to warn those of the reality that is not always taught in churches. In her stories, all her characters have to go through some act or revelation to redeem them and become a better person. I think this gives insight to how she truly felt about the world and the people in it, in regards to religion and salvation.
Word Count: 314