The Wickedness in Humanity

I enjoyed reading this week’s stories because their simplicity made it easy for us to relate our lives to the characters within them. These characters face situations similar to ours, which represent tolerance, appearance, judgment, jealousy, and rebellion. The authors all emphasize the theme concerning a character trying to impress others with his appearance.

Sammy, the narrator in “A&P,” finally realizes his inferior social position and wants to improve his status. From the beginning, Sammy understands that his menial job will not impress the ladies, a common problem in today’s labor world. After gawking and admiring the three beautiful girls, Sammy is only concerned with presenting himself in a way to appeal to these girls’ interests. During his characterization of the girls, Sammy learns that they belong to a higher social class. This short story cogently describes Sammy’s rise to maturity. As discussed in class, Sammy’s early remarks were very juvenile as he bitterly criticized and presented to us his secret affections for the “queen.” At the end, his maturity serves to explain the reason for his quitting because he views Lengal’s demeaning punishments as inappropriate, unscrupulous, and gratuitous. Yet in his final remarks, his maturity seems to dissipate as he relapses into the juvenile world in his attempt to catch the girls’ attentions following his argument with Lengal. While Sammy criticizes Stokesie’s character, he has a premonition that Stokesie’s lifestyle might become his. Stokesie’s future does not appeal to Sammy because he believes that it is not a job he will enjoy and provide him with impressive success. Although Lengel warned Sammy that his quitting might upset his parents, Sammy disagrees with Lengal in his desire and motivation to improve his life when he decides to quit his job. His rebellion may seem immature, but it is important to his personality. Seeing that his life will not improve from his current occupation by subordinating to orders like mindless sheep, he finds that the only way to rid of this sheepish lifestyle is to rebel and make decisions for himself.

Flannery O’ Connor’s “Revelations” is a tragedy involving the downfall of its protagonist Mrs. Turpin from her self-conceitedness and self-centeredness. It is important to note that Mrs. Turpin’s hubris and vanity do not make her a good person. She continually boasts of her high position within society and unremittingly rants against blacks and “white-trash” people in order to elevate her status and ego. Although claiming that she is a strong devotee of the Christian religion, it is very ironic how she strongly scrutinizes, belittles, and characterizes people. As discussed in class, I agree that she assumes a position that does not belong to her. It is not her job to take God’s role to judge others. Throughout this religiously novel, she claims to represent the ideal southern Christian woman; however, I believe her racism and intolerance for others cause her to remain on Earth while the people she deems “evil” ascend to Heaven. The Biblical allusions and parallels in this short story emphasize the sense of certainty that God will reward those who behave nicely and respectfully. Though the attack on her resulted from her trivial, yet vexing comments, she deserved it. I think that the attack was intended as God’s warning to tell her to stop judging others. From this, she begins to realize that if her actions persist, she will become the devilish warthog in Hell. If she were not attacked and described as a warthog from Hell, I believe she would continue to disparage people because her ego would mislead her to believe that she is a good Southern woman.

“A Good Man is Hard to Find” follows a grandmother who’s actions, beliefs, and motives are very similar to Mrs. Turpin. As discussed in class, her selfishness leads to her family’s murder. I agree that her decision using a back road to avoid the Misfit, choosing to bring the cat, and lying to visit a house all gradually cause her demise. She claims that her grandchildren are undisciplined, yet it is her self-conceitedness that characterizes her actions as a very juvenile person and not a lady. Throughout her conversation with the Misfit, she, the oldest in the group, does not take responsibility in accepting death, but rather begs and bribes the Misfit with material wealth. I agree with the class’ discussion that, when faced with the choice of life or death, the grandma no longer cares about being a lady and impressing others. Instead of continuing to impress people, she finally accepts her fate–symbolizing a cleansing of her soul before she enters into Heaven. I find this story particularly interesting because I believe the Misfit is actually a good person. If the grandmother had not exposed the Misfit, I think he would have helped them. When Bobby Lee jokes with the Misfit, I cannot picture the Misfit as a killer because he is not callous, but rather sensitive about death. Although he murdered the family, he is described as surprisingly polite. For example, he apologizes to the women for talking to them without a shirt on. It is interesting to note that the villain in this novel is more respectful and sophisticated than the protagonist in this story.

“Cathedral[’s]” main theme involves acceptance and tolerance. We learn that the husband’s view towards Robert is distorted from his wife’s early relations with Robert. Although it may be because he was jealous, the husband is very prejudiced against the blind man. It may seem humorous, but his obnoxious verbal expressions are very undignified. I think he resorts to belittling comments because he feels as if he were an outsider from his wife and Robert’s close friendship. Despite his display of earlier remarks, I believe the husband begins to feel sympathetic. As they watch television, he willingly describes to a blind person what something looks like even though Robert may have been blind his entire life. I believe the symbolism about the Cathedral’s building height represents the husband’s growing respect for Robert. “Cathedral” is a good example of overcoming one’s tolerances and prejudices. In its simplistic text and plot, it reminds people to remain open-minded of other’s misfortunes. (1,030)