Revelation by Ruby Turpin

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Revelation by Ruby Turpin

There are three distinctive characteristics that Ruby Turpin showed in the essay "Revelation." Ruby was an extremely dominant woman who was judgmental, controlling, and blind to the true reality of life. She was definitely in need of a revelation in order to help her with a change in attitude. I suppose she was never introduced to the saying "the first shall be last and the last shall be first."

Claud and Ruby Turpin were a couple that had a little of everything. They didn't want for much and didn't mind giving to the needy. They didn't have any children, just a yard full of chickens, cows, and hogs, and a house of their own. So Ruby considered herself to be at the top of the poll when it came to economic standing. Her thinking was what drove her to believe that she could be so judgmental of others. This was clearly seen as they entered the doctor's office. She boldly sized everyone up upon entering the office, and this was done by first taking a look at his or her outer appearance. It mattered to Ruby what kind of clothes and shoes they had on, how their hair was combed, and the words they spoke. She believed in her mind that she could figure out what kind of person they were by judging their outer appearance. To Ruby she believed that her life (even though she was 180lbs.) was better than any "nigger" or "white trashy person." So in other words her life was by far better than these classes of people. At least that's what she thought.

"Mrs. Turpin put a firm hand on Claud's shoulder and said in a voice that included anyone who wanted to listen, "Claud you sit in that chair there," and gave him a push down in the vacant one. Claud was florid and bald and sturdy, somewhat shorter than Mrs. Turpin...

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...at because of what she had done, and what she had, that she should be first to walk the streets of glory. Ruby's revelation showed her something totally different. It was revealed that no matter what earthly things she had done and no matter what physical things she owned, "the first shall be last and the last shall be first." That was the true reality of life.

In conclusion Ruby Turpin's encounter with Mary Grace helped her to see a "Revelation". Mary Grace could clearly see these flaws of Ruby: being judgmental, controlling, and blind to reality as a downfall and a hindrance to her eternal home. The very thought of her being called "a wart hog from hell" pricked her heart, thus changing her view on life.

Works Cited

O'Connor, Flannery. "Revelation." Literature for Composition. Ed., Sylvan Barnet, et al.

7th edition, New York: Pearson Longman, 2005. 266-279.

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