Similarities Between Revelation And Greenleaf

Humanity is diverse. From birth until death, people are trained like circus animals. “Do this,” but “Don’t do that,” they say. “Make a mark on the world,” and “Give opinions a voice,” but heaven forbid someone is stepped on in the process. For most of people’s lives, they are trying to be unique and separate themselves from the pack, while still unconsciously wanting to stay in the pack. Sometimes, this way of upbringing is faulty and it burns others. Fortunately for humanity, the need for diversity is commonly expressed and sought after. People are human, and humans are all the same. Outspokenness, dominance, family upbringings, and the opinions formed of people thereafter are all connected. This connection can even be seen in literature. The main female characters in the short stories, “Revelation” and “Greenleaf”, written by Flannery O’Connor, both have dysfunctional families, are symbolically compared to animals, and have self-elevating thoughts while being judgemental towards others. These traits ultimately cause the reader to reflect on his or her life and reevaluate his or her thoughts and actions.
Turpin from “Revelation” and Mrs. May from “Greenleaf” are very alike in that they both lack support due to their dysfunctional families. Mrs. Turpin is married to Claud who is very quiet and subservient. This is apparent when Mrs. Turpin demands, “Claud, you sit in that chair there” and she shoves him into the vacant seat (O’Connor “Revelation” 1). It states that Claud sits down “as if he were accustomed to doing what she told him to” (“Rev” 1). This type of relationship is unhealthy as one spouse is very controlling. This leads to a form of trust and obedience created by fear instead of love. As a result, their marriage is dysfunctional and provides no support to Mrs. Turpin as she is the controlling one in the