Introduction
Flannery O’Connor is among the great writers who have gained attention with her thrilling stories. The author has explored numerous themes, including religion, racism, good and evil, spirituality, and social changes in the 1960s. “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” and “Everything That Rises Must Converge” are among her interesting stories covering vital themes in society. This essay discusses the generational conflict in “Everything That Rises Must Converge” and grace and redemption in “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” to understand the author’s viewpoints about life.
Generational Conflict in “Everything That Rises Must Converge”
The central theme in “Everything That Rises Must Converge” is generational conflict. The author demonstrates the conflict using social and family conflicts experienced by Julian and his mother. Throughout the story, the author uses the family conflict to explain differences in life views between the new and old generations regarding race and embracing change.
Julian’s mother opposes the new norms and holds onto traditional ways of living characterized by prejudice, pride, and racial superiority. She considers the social changes a mess, stating that “With the world in the mess it’s in,” she says, “it’s a wonder we can enjoy anything” (O’Connor, 02). The quote suggests that the world order has changed, making her uncomfortable since she still holds on to traditional ways of living as superior to the black community.
On the other hand, Julian is thrilled by social change and embraces racial desegregation. He faults his mother for allowing traditional ways of life to influence her thinking. Unlike her mother, Julian is empathetic towards other racial groups, such as Black Americans and people of mixed race. He has a liberal mind about societal changes and does everything to show his mother the new side of life. Thus, they have generational conflicts between living in the old culture and embracing new societal changes.
Grace and Redemption in “A Good Man Is Hard to Find”
The identified theme is grace and redemption in “A Good Man Is Hard to Find.” The author demonstrates how God redeems people regardless of their sins and actions if they change their ways. The story follows a family in which the grandmother is manipulative, selfish, and unmindful of others. She insists on her moral superiority and constantly judges others’ actions and words carelessly.
When she encounters the Misfit, she says, “You shouldn’t call yourself The Misfit because I know you’re a good man at heart. I can just look at you and tell” (O’Connor, 7). However, everyone, including the grandmother, knows the Misfit is an evil man capable of killing or robbing them. Nonetheless, the grandmother judges him as a good man since his demeanor resembles that of a superior family, manipulating him to let them go. Despite the grandmother’s wickedness, she tries to change the Misfit into a good man. She condemns the Misfit’s morality without thinking of her evil ways.
Ultimately, both characters receive grace and redemption after the Misfit asks the grandmother about Jesus. The Misfit’s curiosity moves her to understand Jesus and salvation, which clears her head before she dies. The grandmother shows more compassion and calls the Misfit her child, regardless of blood relations, showing she understands the essence of humanity. Likewise, the Misfit receives grace when he states that killing “‘s no real pleasure in life” after killing the grandmother—his initial views regarding murder change, indicating that everyone is redeemable by grace (O’Connor, 11).
Conclusion
O’Connor’s stories explore sensitive topics that have affected and challenged society throughout time. Generational conflict is a societal issue that has affected and still affects populations globally as people try to adjust to social changes brought by civilization, modernity, and technology. Likewise, grace and redemption are sensitive issues in religion where believers are assured of God’s salvation while evildoers are bound to face punishment for their actions. The affected characters in the story change their ways at the last minute and reflect on their misdeeds. Thus, the author shows hope for a harmonious society and redemption, however long it may take.
Works Cited
O’Connor, Flannery. A Good Man Is Hard to Find. Faber & Faber, 2019.
O’Connor, Flannery. Everything That Rises Must Converge: A Story. Picador, 2020.