Preview

The Lame Shall Enter First Essay Example

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2003 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Lame Shall Enter First Essay Example
Flannery O’Connor’s short story “The Lame Shall Enter First,” focuses on a young boy named Norton, who lost his mother at nine-years-old. The tale takes place a year later. Norton’s father, Sheppard, works as a City Recreational Director on the weekends where he meets a boy named Rufus Johnson. Rufus is a troubled, yet intelligent fourteen-year-old who Sheppard feels shows a lot of potential. Sheppard immediately takes a liking to Rufus and after the young boy leaves the reformatory, Sheppard decides to invite him into his home with the belief that he can transform Rufus into a well-behaved, brilliant young man. Norton is not at all pleased by the idea of Rufus’ presence in his home and the story continues to describe the journey of Norton and the three main contributing factors that lead to his death: neglect, grief and the biblical teachings of Rufus. Sheppard’s neglect of Norton began after the death of his wife. Instead of dealing with the grief caused by the loss, he invested himself into his work. He suggested Norton should do the same, “If you stop thinking about yourself and think what you can do for somebody else then you’ll stop missing your mother” (147). However, Norton was at an age where he critically needed his father for guidance and support, especially after losing his mother but Sheppard did not see this. The way Sheppard saw it, “She has been dead for over a year and a child’s grief should not last so long” (146). When Sheppard met Rufus, he viewed his intelligence as potential and thought that he could be the solution to Rufus’ behavioral issues. He invited Rufus into their home in hopes of pursuing this project of helping the young boy. “He sat for almost ten minutes thinking what he could do if he had Johnson here with him. What was wasted on Norton would cause Johnson to flourish” (152). When Rufus came into Sheppard’s home, Sheppard immediately began to pay more attention to him than to his own son. Sheppard bought Rufus a telescope

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Mr. Tom Weylin owned the plantation that Dana's great grandfather Rufus was a slave hand on. Dana's quick wit and ability to think clearly during times of stress are put to the test when "Just as I reached the stairs, Tom Weylin came out of his bedroom. "What are you doing up here?" he demanded." (Kindred, 89) Further more he presses her for information "For a moment my mind raced, searching for excuses, explanations. Then I realized I wouldn't need them. I would have met him outside Rufus's door if he had stayed long enough to hear about Alice. He had probably heard me addressing Rufus a little too familiarly. Nothing Worse" He presses on asking her how old she is and what year she…

    • 697 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Week4 Ass1 Essay Example

    • 334 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Explain at least two ways in which systems theory may be used in the Social Security Administration. You may want to refer back to Week 1 e-Activity of Franklin Roosevelt’s speech on Social Security as a historical reference.…

    • 334 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    This paper will be an analysis of articles and the psychological concepts that the authors of these articles were researching. This paper will also discuss the types of research and studies that the authors used to investigate those concepts. In addition this paper will examine relationships between the consumer psychology and the marketing communications.…

    • 1029 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    2. As Rufus became older he began talking to his father often talking the people or slaves he liked out of harsher punishments by his father. Rufus for example was instrumental in saving Kevins life when threatened by his father.…

    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    “Paul’s Case” written by Willa Cather not only offers an entertaining read with content which at first glance can come off as merely a story, but when read closely it becomes evident that there are substantial themes being explored through Cather’s protagonist, Paul, along with his predicament. Paul, a young boy living on Cordelia Street, a place that quite inordinately contradicts his frequent exotic fantasies, sets course toward tragedy when he begins to realize he can no longer remain within the rigid dimensions set by his community’s perception of social norms. Set in a Pittsburg town made up of cookie cutter homes, and where the children attend Sabbath school on a regular basis, Paul stands out with great conspicuity. One cannot help but…

    • 1228 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Jonathan Swift in his essay, "A Modest Proposal" suggests a unique solution to the problem concerning poor children in Ireland. Swift uses several analytical techniques like statistics, induction, and testimony to persuade his readers. His idea is admirable because he suggests that instead of putting money into the problem, one can make money from the problem. However, his proposal is inhumane.…

    • 692 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    As Wes settled in colonel Bratt, his commander, took Wes under his wing and taught him new values such as honor, sacrifice and courage. I personally agree with Joy’s decision to send Wes to military school. She realized that even with her strict parenting he was still slipping in to the lifestyle provided by the environment and culture of Baltimore.…

    • 1252 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    When Comparing Flannery O’Connor’s short story, “The Lame Shall Enter First” and James Baldwin’s short story, “Sonny’s Blues” many similarities and differences come to mind. In both O’Connor and Baldwin’s short story’s they urge the reader to consider what the lack of fulfillment can do to people’s everyday lives. However, Baldwin addresses the theme of growing up in neglected households while O’Connor relates to the feeling of overall loneliness when it comes to home life.…

    • 1524 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Marilynne Robinson is a Pulitzer-winning novelist who has graced us with her essays found in The Death of Adam. Robinson gives the read the feeling of being much more educated than he or she really is. These essays provide readers with different ways of discussing history, religion and society. They, although difficult to comprehend at times, are flawlessly argued and, throughout, are grounded in universal human experience. When reading them, it is hard not to be persuaded, especially if reading them with an open mind.…

    • 1355 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    "We thought it was better to go under the high wire fence at the rear of the Radley lot, we stood less change of being seen. The fence enclosed a large garden and a narrow wooden out-house. Jem held up the bottom wire and motioned to Dill under it. I followed, and held up the wire for Jem. It was a tight squeeze for him (56)."…

    • 879 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Haha

    • 1393 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Discuss how Haddon’s perspective on personal challenges is conveyed in the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. In your response, make a detailed reference to your prescribed text.…

    • 1393 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    When it comes to sexual assault, it is the common belief that the offenders are male and the victims are female, but this is not always the case. In 2014, a study was done looking at the effects of victims, offender and juror gender could impact decisions in child sexual assault cases (Quas, Bottoms, Haegerich & Nysse-Carris). This case study was done by having mock jurors read scenarios of a man or a woman defendant accused of molesting a 15-year-old boy or girl. There were four different versions of the scenario where the 15-year-old student was allegedly assaulted by a 36-year-old teacher, who was also the soccer coach; the only difference in these scenarios was changing of the genders. The mock jurors would then state their verdicts and rated both the defendant…

    • 445 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Rufus King

    • 901 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Rufus King’s life was well portrayed by the way he lived and his home was a great way of showing that. The outside of the house was an off white color and had a big door as an entrance that demonstrated power. As I entered the house, I noticed the different types of shades the walls. For instance the Parlor, which for us is known as the living room, was very spacious and had great detailing by the fireplace, which represented wealth. The marble was somewhat luxurious and gave the guest a nice impression. The walls were a bright green color and the reason for it was because he felt the brighter the more money and success it brought. In this same room was a portrait of the King family, a finger dipper and a teapot.…

    • 901 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    TEACHER TEACHER SUMMARY

    • 431 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Though Cade tries different ways and means to help the boy, he is more inclined to learn simple skills that are taught by Carter. This makes Cade feel jealous of Carter and eventually tells him that he is at the Putnam’s’ to teach Freddie and Carter must not interfere with his work...…

    • 431 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Jill

    • 1208 Words
    • 5 Pages

    It was Dill’s last night with us this summer, Dill noticed Mr. Avery on his front porch. Dill and I said to Scout that we were going to peep in the Radley’s window to see if we could get a look at Boo. We said that if Scout didn’t want to go with us, then Scout could go straight home and keep her mouth shut about it. I said, “Scout, I’m telling you for the last time, shut your trap or go home – I declare to the Lord you’re gettin’ more like a girl every day!” So, Scout joined us. We snuck under a barbed wire fence. We had to be very quiet, and Scout was very nervous! Dill looked in the window, but he didn’t see anything. So we went around the back and I crept across the porch and peeked into a window. Scout noticed the shadow. It was the shadow of a man with a hat on, and it was moving towards me! Dill noticed it too, and then I noticed it last. We were scared. The shadow stopped about a foot beyond me. Then it turned and moved back across me, walked along the porch and off the side of the house, returning as it had come. We all ran! We ran to the gate, and as we ran through the collards, Scout tripped. Then Scout heard the roar of a shotgun! We all ran toward the barbed wire fence, but I got caught in it as I tried to go under. My pants were caught and I couldn’t get them free, so I kicked my pants off and started running in my underwear. After resting for a minute, we realized that because of the shotgun noise, the whole neighborhood was standing around in the Radley’s front yard to see what was going on. We realized that we had better show up or else people might start to realize that it was us sneaking around in their yard! When we got there we saw Mr. Nathan Radley standing with a shotgun by his side. Atticus was there, and Miss Maudie, Miss Stephanie Crawford, Miss Rachel, and Mr. Avery. “What happened,” I asked, as if I didn’t know. Miss Stephanie had just noticed me standing there without any pants on. Dill spoke up quickly. He…

    • 1208 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays