Scientific and Spiritual Structure of the Realm of Being in Flannery O’Connor and Graham Greene

Abstract

ABSTRACTTaking as a basis Søren Kierkegaard’s theory of the spiritual stages of the human soul, this paper will analyze the concept of secular ethics in Flannery O’Connor and Graham Greene, concretely in two of their writings, the short story “The Lame Shall Enter First” (1962) and the play The Potting Shed (1957). I will first examine the characters of Sheppard and Henry Callifer, who are in a similar situation of existential complacency that spins around a rationalistic and materialistic outlook of good and evil, the rejection of the existence of God and hence, anything related to Christianity. In addition, I will discuss their relationship with their respective sons, Norton and James Callifer, a relationship —using Flannery O’Connor’s words— based on a tenderness which in the absence of faith is wrapped in theory. Finally, I will analyze the consequences that their standpoint has over their sons’ lives and the violent event in both stories that shakes Sheppard and Henry Callifer out of their complacency, giving them an opportunity of progressing in their spiritual existence.