Date of Award
2018
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
English
Committee Chair
Laurel Bollinger
Committee Member
Joseph Conrad
Committee Member
James Coby
Subject(s)
Flannery O'Connor--Criticism and interpretation, Monsters in literature, God
Abstract
This study will assert that Flannery O'Connor's fiction falls into the genre of horror based on the frequent occurrences of monstrousness within her works. This study proposes that there is a hierarchal system of monstrousness that can be observed in O'Connor's writing. The first level of monstrousness observed can be found through reading O'Connor's works through the author's social critique of post-World War II culture. The second level of monstrousness can be found within the characters of O'Connor's fiction. The characters who are deemed monsters are both influenced by O'Connor's social critique and the role of God within the specific character's story. The third and most-encompassing level of monstrousness within O'Connor's work can be found by examining the influence of God within O'Connor's fiction. This study will ultimately assert that God is the greatest monster within the works of Flannery O'Connor.
Recommended Citation
Sutton, Katlyn, "Flannery O'Connor and monster theory" (2018). Theses. 255.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-theses/255