Flannery O’Connor addresses the theme of religion in some of his stories. The short stories “Good Country People” and “The Life You Save May Be Your Own” represent the Christian identities that are seen in many of the fictions written by Flannery ...Read More
~Posted on
Apr 2020
Flannery O’Connor addresses the theme of
religion in some of his stories. The short stories “Good Country People” and
“The Life You Save May Be Your Own” represent the Christian identities that are
seen in many of the fictions written by Flannery O’Connor. This paper will look
at the message on religion that O’Connor delivers in these two stories.
In “Good Country People”, Hulga’s deformity
has fashioned her character as she reveres her missing leg as her defining
quality, besides her education. She
takes care of the leg and does not let anyone to see it. Nevertheless, this
type of attitude devoid of any faith in God is illustrated as what eventually
leads to her downfall. In addition, Hulga’s education is linked to the fact
that she lacks faith in God, particularly in her mother’s mind. She in fact
tells Manley that she does not have belief in God.
In O’Connor’s "The Life You Save May Be
Your Own", Tom Shiflet has a chance of achieving Grace during his
interface with Lucynell Craters. Without any friends, Tom Shiflet has been
wandering and found an opportunity to work hard and live a quiet life. The
crooked cross that is embodied within his figure is a representation of an
opportunity towards salvation. When Tom starts the old car, he experiences an
expression of critical modesty on his face since the car has not been started
in about 15 years. It is likened to as raising the dead, a miracle that is tied
to that which Jesus did by raising Lazarus in the New Testament.
In conclusion, O’Connor discusses religion in both of his stories “Good Country People” and “The Life You Save May Be Your Own”. In particular, he places emphasis on the Christianity religion, which acts as an avenue of passing his message to the readers.
