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How Does Flannery O Connor Present The Theme Of Pride And Vanity

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The American writer Flannery O’connor is known as a master of the short story for her ability to convey a striking central theme in a short work. Her theme of pride and vanity remains consistent throughout all her works as she reflects on the broken nature of humanity. The quote, “The dragon is by the side of the road, watching those who pass. Beware lest he devour you. We go to the father of souls, but it is necessary to pass by the dragon,” by St. Cyril of Jerusalem also conveys this same message. In order to get to the Lord, an individual must first pass the dragon which represents the temptation of the sins of pride and vanity. In all three of the short stories, “The Displaced Person,” “Good Country People,” and “A Late Encounter with the Enemy,” O’Connor employs a specific character to fight this dragon of pride and vanity in order to warn the reader to beware the temptation. …show more content…

McIntyre encounters the dragon. Thinking herself superior to her hires, Mrs. McIntyre lets the evil of pride guide the way she conducts the happenings of her farm. When one of her most faithful hires attempts to discuss the equality of different races with her, Mrs. McIntyre shuts out the idea, calling all those below her “worthless people” (236). Because of her fierce vanity, Mrs. McIntyre refuses to listen to the advice of anyone but herself. These sins of pride and vanity stop her from helping the Displaced Person when he is about to be killed in an oncoming tractor collision. Thus, because she was unable to conquer the dragon, Mrs. McIntyre becomes very ill and mentally

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