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Comparing Life You Save May Be Your Own 'And The Geranium'

1495 Words6 Pages

American Gothic is a type of literature originating from the Southern Gothic movement that deals with works of dark themes with disturbed settings, characters and the techniques of narration used in them. The following are some of the characteristics of Southern Gothic literature that are evident in Flannery O’Connor’s writings. From this discussion, it is clear that elements from the two stories “The Life You Save May Be Your Own” and “The Geranium” support the argument as to how the subjects of both the stories, isolation, and alienation, redemption, and degeneration of mankind as a species are well elaborated. All these are pointers to the fact that the genre is gradually developing dark themes. The presence of similar themes of isolation …show more content…

The farm where Mr. Shiftlet meets with the Craters is described as barren and isolated, reflecting the nature of Saldivar 2 Shiftlet's character and loneliness. Connor uses vivid imagery of the “desolate spot”, “passed over everything in the yard-the pump near the corner of the house”’ (page 1), and the other features that emphasize the loneliness that shrouds Shiftlet, Mrs. Crater, and Lucynell. The setting strengthens the feeling of loneliness and the sense of being cut off from the world, which mirrors the characters' internal isolation. The alienation is thus not only geographical, but also …show more content…

Old Dudley, a southern man who relocated to New York and is surrounded by Black people, opposes prejudice issues in his mind about Black people. Their crude language and racist behavior summarize the Saldivar 5 note of segregation and color discrimination still inherent in the culture and history of the South, which hints at the society’s indifference towards ethical issues. O’Connor contrasts Old Dudley’s introspection with urban New York settings, bringing out tension between romanticized memories of youth and city life, on one hand and, anxiety induced by the modern city on the other “he knew Yankees let niggers in their front doors and let them sit on their sofas but he didn't know his own daughter that was raised proper would stay next door to them and then think he didn't have no more sense than to want to mix with them. Him!” (page 22). This is why Old Dudley’s character can be seen as embodying all the elements of the moral decay, with prejudice and social stratification being the main reasons for the systemic injustice and ethical

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Use Of Multiple Stylistic Elements In Flannery O Connor's Short Stories

1050 Words | 5 Pages

In Flannery O’Connor’s short stories, “A good man is hard to find” and “Good country people”, O’Connor utilizes multiple stylistic elements in her writing to create a complex and compelling plot line. These elements, such as moments of growing tension and resolve or relying on faith when a character experiences extreme fear, are key components that add direction and meaning to both of her short stories. Other examples such as headstrong females, like the grandmother from “A good man is hard to find” and Joy/Hulga from “Good country people”, shows how two different types of women can still have dignity despite their own faults. In short, Flannery O’Connor utilizes multiple stylistic elements in her short stories to create a meaningful and compelling tale of people from the south.

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Flannery O Connor's Contribution To The World

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Perspectives Based on the perceptives on Flannery O’Connor personality she is described to be a loner. O’Connor has a different way of think from other authors because of her “sly humor, her disdain for mediocrity, and her often merciless attacks on affection and triviality.” (Gordon) She wrote her works to fit a new style a dark humor with Southern Gothic theme. O’Connor shows how grotesque the world is and how it needs a light to help change the world. Her works of irony is her main contribution to the world.

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Nihilism In Flannery O Connor's Good Country People

106 Words | 1 Pages

Flannery O’Connor’s Good Country People, written in southern gothic style is both dramatic and shocking. The complexity of a simple life is nuanced with themes of betrayal and nihilism. O’Connor’s use of symbolism is liberally evidenced throughout the story, with the character’s names seemingly a misappropriation; Mrs. Freeman, is not free, nor does Mrs. Hopewell, hope well. Indeed, it appears the entire short story is based on misnomers; with each of the characters proving that they are not good country people.

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Comparing The Great Migration Of Blacks In The 20th Century To The West Or North

858 Words | 4 Pages

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1447 Words | 6 Pages

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998 Words | 4 Pages

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1926 Words | 8 Pages

Racism is one out of many important themes portrayed in the novel A Gathering Of Old Men written by Ernest J. Gaines 1983. The novel is set during the 1970”s on a Louisiana sugarcane plantation. Whites were threatened by the idea that blacks could one day be in power so they sought out other measures to uphold the absolute power of whites. In A Gathering Old Men, Gaines wants us to understand that the fight needs to keep going because racism still exist in recent times. Although it is usually connected somehow to violence, racism comes in many different forms in A Gathering Of Old Men.

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1478 Words | 6 Pages

Studies of notorious masters from the South, men who thrived under the culture of honor, illustrate how violence and honor molded black-white interaction. Rhys Isaac’s analysis of Landon Carter, a Virginia planter during the revolutionary period, depicts a man with an abhorrence to all types of

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1390 Words | 6 Pages

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Literary Analysis Of A Good Man Is Hard To Find

1320 Words | 6 Pages

Born on March 25, 1925, in Savannah, Georgia, Flannery O’Connor grew up as a devout Roman Catholic in the largely Protestant south. She “is considered one of the best short story authors of the 20th century” (“Flannery O’Connor”). She studied sociology and English at Georgia State College for Women and became one of the first students at the University of Arizona Writers’ Workshop. While attending college she published her first short story, “The Geranium,” in 1946 and started on her first novel, “Wise Blood,” in 1952. After she graduated in 1947 with her master 's degree, she pursued writing at multiple artists retreats.

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Cambrian Period Research Paper

660 Words | 3 Pages

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364 Words | 2 Pages

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671 Words | 3 Pages

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