In the story, “Revelation” by Flannery O’Connor, the main character, Mrs. Turpin is portrayed as a religious and self-important woman. She feeds off of the belief that she is above everyone who is, in her words considered, “white-trashy” or black. The story in itself is a depiction of Southern hypocrisy. As she sits in a waiting room at the doctor’s office with her husband, full of very few people she deems worthy, she hypocritically categorizes them although she won’t say it aloud.
In the midst of events, she receives an odd revelation, when Mary Grace, a girl she categorized as ugly, attacks her, ending her egotistical lifestyle. O’Connor is able to perceive the theme of salvation throughout this story by utilizing rhetoric devices such…show more content… Turpin in the pig parlor, she finally comes to realize her revelation; a chance at salvation. O’Connor describes, “She leaned forward to observe them closer. They were marching behind the others with great dignity,” (465). She has an epiphany, and envisions all those whom she considered below her, receiving entrance into heaven with herself behind them all. fMrs. Turpin receives the revelation she was waiting for all along, a second chance at improving her faith. Through a life of such condescending attitude the main character is able to take a second look at her reality.
O’Connor uses Mary Grace and the pig parlor as two major aspects of symbolism in the process of this revelation. Mary is the divine grace from which the revelation is produced to Mrs. Turpin as her first unnatural lit eyes turned to “a much lighter blue,” (460). This occurs after Mary has said her words. Almost as if the message was a sign of relief.
And lastly, it is convenient that the author places Mrs. Turpin in the pig parlor at the time of her epiphany because her egotistical personality puts her in just an equal position as a hog, until her ways are changed. The ironic humor portrayed by the author serves to let the reader reflect on his own actions and battle with
