Flannery O’ Conner has been known for including may biblical symbols in her short stories and these are no exception. The reading for this week “A Good Man Is Hard To Find” and “Revelation” both show us the troubles of self-righteousness and weak faith. These two attributes are seen throughout all religions and societies across the globe.
In “A Good Man Is Hard To Find” the grandmother can easily be seen to have weak faith. Towards the end the grandmother loses her sense of faith when confronted with the Misfit. The Misfit has a conversation with the grandmother about Jesus not raising the dead and the grandmother says “Maybe he didn’t raise the dead” (O’Conner 132). Her faith has been put to a halt because of her fear of death. If someone’s faith is “strong” they should be willing to put there life on the line for it, not crumble the instance they face adversity. …show more content…
The religious attribute of self-righteous can be found in Flannery O’Conners “Revelation”. This attribute is best portrayed by Mrs.Turpin, as she often views herself as “…a respectable, hardworking, church-going woman”(O’Conner 24). When someone start to see themselves in a higher status they begin to lose sight of the goodness in others. She often throughout the story puts people in categories based on class and ethnicity. Even though she may believe she has more importance to God than the people she puts below her, they have a spot in heaven themselves. Putting yourself above others in any situation can often times leave you more surprised then satisfied.
Shakespeare has been very influential in many texts throughout the ages and O’Conners short stories are no different.
One of his main themes is irony. In “Revelation” irony can be seen when Mrs.Turpin thinks everyone is lower than her, but later on she find out that the people who she considered lower than her were sent to heaven. Irony can also be seen in “A Good Man Is Hard To Find” when the grandmother proclaimed “I wouldn’t take my children in any direction with a criminal like that loose in it” (O’Conner 119). Later on to the grandmother’s surprise, she has led her entire family into the path of the Misfit and gets them ultimately
killed.
People’s faith can be changed throughout many things in life. We are often faced through great trials and tribulations with little to no avail. Although many of us believe the same things while others may follow something completely opposite, it is necessary to treat others with love and compassion. For we are all human and it is our responsibility to act accordingly.