Transformation of Ruby Turpin

In Flannery O’Connor’s story, “Revelation”, the main character, Ruby Turpin, starts out as a callously judgmental woman. Ruby is described by Ronald E. Pepin as having “blatant racism”, “smug complacency”, “haughty bearing”, and “cruel condescension” (2). By the end of the story Ruby is transformed into a righteous woman saved by God. It is the grace of God, through his revelation to Ruby, which transforms Ruby Turpin.

In His revelation to Ruby, God shows her that she can only get to Heaven through His grace. It is apparent in this story that Ruby feels she is going to Heaven. However, when she is singled out by the “ugly” girl as a “wart hog from hell” Ruby gets extremely confused about her place in Heaven. In an attempt to reassure herself and God of how good of a person she is, Ruby asks God “Why me...It’s no trash around here, black or white, that I havn’t given to. And break my back to the bone every day working. And do for the church” (352). These few statements reveal that Mrs. Turpin feels she will go to Heaven through her deeds, as opposed to going through the gr

ace of God. As a result of the girl’s message, Ruby confronts God. In this confrontation, God reveals to Ruby that only through His grace can she get into Heaven. Will and Mimosa Stephenson observe “…she [Ruby] realizes that her orderliness, respectability, and generosity are not in themselves good enough, that she is in need of God’s grace, and that the glory belongs to God” (58). Had it not been for God’s “divine influence”, Ruby would have lived the rest of her life falsely believing that she would join God in Heaven.

Pepin, Ronald E. “Latin Names and Images of Ugliness in Flannery O’Connor’s ‘Revelation’.” ANQ Jan. 1993: 25. GALILEO, Russell Library, GC&SU. 22 Apr. 2002, Academic Search Premier: Flannery O’Connor revelation.

Some topics in this essay:
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