How Does Flannery O Connor Reflect The Characteristics Of Southern Gothic Writing

Mildred Marcelletti

Research paper

June 4, 2015

Flannery O’ Connor as a Master of Southern Gothic Writing

Many writing genres have reflected the unique characteristics of American literature throughout the years. Southern Gothic writing is one of said genres, which has stood out and made numerous readers become avid followers and enthusiasts in this writing style. Unlike Roman Gothic literature that focuses on the supernatural, Southern Gothic focuses on the grotesque and sublime found in reality. It concentrates on examining the extremes of the Christian South. By utilizing strange events and eccentric characters, this genre depicts a moody and unsettling depiction of life in the South.

Southern Gothic writing at first glance appears

to be a typical genre, but eventually it reveals itself to be filled with strange, horrific and macabre happenings and occurrences. The looming sense of darkness and suspense in the stories of this genre is what makes it unique. The dark and strange setting emphasizes the mood of faded grandeur and urban decay that places stories of this genre into context. The final moments of any story contained in this writing, appear apocalyptic, with its major characters pushed back into a setting so strange and distorted.

Although various authors of the Southern Gothic writing have left an imprint on American literature, none have done it in such a way as Flannery O’ Connor.

A Georgia native, much of her short fiction writing is set in the South. Famous for her emphasis on violent and grotesque characters as well as disturbing situations she is one of the most influential Southern Gothic writers. “Not only is O’ Connor known for being a pioneer of the Southern Gothic style; she was also a pioneer in developing the short story form in general.” (Shmoop Editorial Team) She has a certain, uncanny talent that makes readers unable to look away from the tragic and often twisted stories she

produces.

One of O’ Connor’s most well-known short stories, A Good Man is Hard to Find, represents her broad knowledge and distinct writing talent of the Southern Gothic genre. Her work combines a keen ear for common speech, caustic religious imagination and ability for the absurd that characterize her work. “The Misfit rejects Christ as God because he lacks empirical evidence of His divinity and because he lacks faith in the testimony of the bible. If there is no God, The Misfit reasons, there is no moral order. Consequently, he believes that he may do whatever he pleases —even commit murder.” (CummingsGuides)

In the short story mentioned above, O’ Connor writes about various reoccurring themes, which make the story a perfect example of talented and masterful writing in the Southern Gothic genre. The tragic end of the family’s fate represents just this. The mother, father, son, daughter and grandmother are traveling to Florida even though the news had mentioned a killer on the loose in that area. The grandmother insists on visiting an old family home, but on their way there the car lands inside a ditch and leaves the entire family stranded with no hopes of getting out.

Unfortunately, the only people nearby are The Misfit, the killer on the loose, and his two companions.

The family does not realize this until later on. Once The Misfit realizes the family discovered who he is, he kills each of them one by one. He leaves the grandmother for last, and although she is begging for mercy and tells him that God will forgive him in hopes of being saved, it makes no difference. The Misfit shoots her and she lays on the ground dead. Here we can see the perfect example of tragedy and horror in Southern Gothic writing, as well as how as writer O’Connor attempts to show the dark and troublesome side of each character. “As a narrator, she rarely seems sympathetic to the characters of her story. On the contrary, she seems more interested in bringing out their worst, exposing their superficialities.” (Shmoop Editorial

Team)

As mentioned above, Flannery O’Connor is a master of Southern Gothic writing. Whether it is her distinct writing style, unique emphasis on the horrific or even her vivid character description, she remains the most known and powerful writer of this genre.