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Writing against God: Language and Flannery O'Connor's literature
Abstract
Readers approaching Flannery O'Connor's fiction have varied opinions as to the impact of her fictional message. O'Connor's linguistic choices often move her fiction out of her control to produce a message in conflict with the one she says she intended. Stylistically through sentence structure, verb usage, and parts of speech, O'Connor determines the salvation of her fictional characters. Grammatical dependence on pronouns and naming techniques often seem to assign her characters to states of invisibility. Reliance on the verb "to be," and modals such as "might," "would," "could," and "should" either leave her characters in a state of inactivity or in a posture fraught with uncertainty. The addition of passive voice and passive intent as contained in O'Connor's adjective choices presents evidence that her fictional characters are unable to determine their spiritual fates, despite what she has stated is her commitment to free will. Grammatical negation, passivity, and intransitivity sink O'Connor's characters in inertia, yet through verbal structures of past tense, past perfect tense, and the use of the infinitive, O'Connor attempts to transcend earthly time and move her characters into the eternal, heavenly, now. O'Connor's images, symbols, and themes often fail to provide insights into her Catholic vision and complement her grammatical choices by embedding mystery within her language. The inconsistencies which seem to surround her characters often confuse readers about their redemptive fates. Despite the problems inherent in her inconsistencies, O'Connor's language choices often demonstrate extraordinary linguistic facility aspiring to replicate what she saw as Divine Mystery omnipresent in the world. This ability to manipulate doctrine through language choices emerges as the strength that will most heighten her status as an artist.
Subject Area
Linguistics|American literature
Recommended Citation
McMullen, Joanne, "Writing against God: Language and Flannery O'Connor's literature" (1991). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9133303.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9133303