Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • Mary Flannery O'Connor: An American writer known for her distinctive Southern Gothic style, characterized by morally flawed characters, dark humor, and explorations of grace and redemption. She is a significant figure in 20th-century American literature.

Usage

• Proper noun:
  • The short stories of Mary Flannery O'Connor often feature shocking acts of violence.
  • Mary Flannery O'Connor's novels, such as Wise Blood, critique modern secularism.
  • Scholars frequently analyze the theological themes in the work of Mary Flannery O'Connor.

Advanced Usage

• "O'Connor's grotesque": A term used in literary criticism to describe her particular use of physically or spiritually distorted characters to reveal spiritual truths.
  • The concept of O'Connor's grotesque is central to understanding her fictional world.

Variants and Related Words

• Flannery O'Connor: The name by which the author is most commonly referenced, omitting "Mary."

  • The collected letters of Flannery O'Connor were published posthumously.

• O'Connorian (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of Flannery O'Connor or her work.

  • The story had a distinctly O'Connorian sense of irony and grace.

Synonyms

• Author: A writer of a book, article, or report.
• Novelist: A writer of novels.
• Short story writer: A writer specializing in short fiction.

Related Phrases

• "A Good Man Is Hard to Find": The title of one of her most famous short stories, often used as a cultural reference.

  • The family's disastrous trip reminded him of "A Good Man Is Hard to Find."*

• "The Violent Bear It Away": The title of her second novel, sometimes referenced in discussions of her themes.

  • His obsession was as consuming as that of the protagonist in "The Violent Bear It Away."*

Noun

1. United States writer (1925-1964)