... states, "The self-deluded, prideful characters that receive the unbearable revelation of their own shallow selves are being impaled upon the holy icicle of grace, even if they are too stupid or lost to understand the great boon God is providing them." (Galloway) Many first-time readers of O" ... demonstrate extraordinary initiative and shrewdness in finding ways to prevent confrontation with their shortcomings. Jill Baumgaertner writes, "The characters in O"Connor's stories find grace, but between their flight from the City of Destruction and their arrival at the gates of the Heavenly Ci...

• Word Count: 1784
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... materialistic man who uses the cliché time holds great surprises' indicating that he has total control in his life. His arrogant departing smile and rhetorical quote but for the grace of god' signifies his keenness to leave. Symbolism has also been adopted with the metaphorical flickering light representing lost aspirations. Whilst her Madonna like pose serves an extremely ironic significance ... ...

• Word Count: 2540
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: Undergraduate