DIS+5

DIS 5

Background: Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxq6S_xjCOE&feature=related

This is another student video. Watch the first part as the second talks about O'Connor's story, "Revelation."

Prompt:

The first one to write must be Flannery O'Connor. She will write a note/letter to Joyce Carol Oates in response and reaction to Oates' article. The second to write must be Joyce Carol Oates. She will respond to O'Connor. The third will be a literary critic and historian, and she will comment on this dialogue between Oates and O'Connor. The fourth will be a voice of your choosing. Just make sure you identify yourself and your role.

Enjoy!

EM:

Dear Ms. Oates,

Thank you for your thoughts. I am glad that my story hit such a chord in you, and I did appreciate your unique and honest thoughts. One of the things I enjoyed most about your article was your immediate recognition of the fact that this story was rather unique for me. You're right, I did not riddle it with irony, nor did I employ blatant violence or hostility. What I hoped readers would draw from this story was something more personal, and though not gory, equally as violent. I hoped that this story would arouse feelings of loneliness, betrayal, estrangement, etc. When Mr. Head denies Nelson's identity, I hoped readers would feel for Nelson. When readers heard how naive the protagonists where in terms of race and culture, I hoped they would feel sadness for those oppressed by society and gratitude for an improving social system. Though the violence and irony was not as blatant as Hulga being stripped of her wooden leg, it was still there--you just had to search for it. The artificial nigger in the end confronts Mr. Head and Nelson, and the irony in that is that a real "nigger" never did. They were surrounded by diverse life, and it took the artificial nigger in the end to change their views. Mr. Head spends a massive amount of time feeding Nelson with ideas, but in the end they are both lost. This ending is similar to "Good Country People" in that we see extremely stubborn characters be stripped of everything they believe in, and they are forced to change their ways. How many times in your life has this happened? Have you ever been completely vulnerable? The answer is most likely yes, and as humans we must look to our faith and trust in God. Thank you again for your thoughts, I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, Flannery O'Connor GG: Mr. Head's denial is a different type of violence, perhaps?

BK:

Dear Ms. O'Connor,

I much appreciated your kind words and strong opinions as usual in response to my essay. I loved your commentary on what you desired your readers to draw from this short, parable-like story: "loneliness, betrayal, estrangement, etc." Being one of my idols, I strive to achieve to have these strong emotions appear to my readers in my writing. Another signature trait of yours that I greatly admire is your ability to turn the setting into a character. I see this throughout not only "The Artificial Nigger", but "Good Country People" and "A Good Man is Hard to Find" as well. A student recently wrote me a response letter to my essay and stated that she believes that the "setting of any story crafts the mood and therefore the characters and their actions...the setting throughout ["The Artificial Nigger"] is extremely important and shapes the characters of Mr. Head and Nelson into thinking and believe like they do." I wholeheartedly agree and would say that the most significant example of this would be the two countrymen's attitudes towards the blacks in society. You stated, Flannery, that there is great irony in the fact that "it took the artificial nigger...to change their views." I also find irony in this and in the fact that they witnessed God's grace in something that was essentially unbeknownst to them before their big day in the city. I guess it just goes to show that God's grace and mercy is always surrounding us. You mentioned that the story concluded with the stubborn characters being "stripped of everything they believe in" and are left "completely vulnerable," which I agree is something that all humans do experience at some point in time. I admire your courage and ability to turn to your faith and trust in God during those moments and can only hope that I can be as strong and couragous as you are in your beliefs. Thank you for your thoughtful response, you really are a great writer and woman.

Fondly, Joyce Carol Oates

GG: You are so right when you talk about God's grace coming most unexpectedly.

JR: Historian/ Lit Critic

Flannery takes “The Artificial Nigger” in a unique direction- I agree with Ms. Oaes’s first observation. This story is far less physically violent but the reader can take a front seat to a lot of passive aggressiveness in the narrative. The reader sees a lot of fear, misconceptions, and pride which forces the protagonists to seek redemption and grace is the most unlikely of places, a faded statue. There is perhaps some unintentional irony in the story even though Flannery denies it a bit. I think it is interesting that Flannery brought up a point about how Mr. Head filled Nelson with judgmental and somewhat corrosive ideas. He wants to perpetuate the degradation of the Negros and therefore passes on his judgment and fear to the younger generation. The statue does “confront” the two travelers and makes them realize their wrongdoings so that they can lead a more moral life. Flannery’s comments are quite insightful. Ms. Oates’ note about the setting as a character is quite profound because the setting is alive in each of Flannery’s stories. The settings serve as a guide for the characters so that they can meet their fate wherever the setting takes them. Having such an active setting also helps the reader hold onto a concrete image if the meaning of the story seems indiscernible. Both perspectives from Oates and O’Connor are quite interesting because there are new tid-bits of enlightenment gathered about these stories from these two accomplished writers. As a historian, I find O’Connor’s narratives intriguing because they sometimes reflect socio-economic differences and struggles that have been seen in our country for generations.

GG: L: For the record, "Oates." Do you think that Mr. Head deliberately filled Nelson's head with misinformation?

LD:

Dear Historian/Literature Critic,

 When I think about how Mr. Head seemed to fill Nelson’s head with misconstrued opinions, I think of how I am forced to hear my parents and teacher’s opinions everyday. I think it is impossible not to subconsciously force your thoughts on subjects to people that are younger or mentally inferior to you. In a sense, it is a pride issue. A belief that “my way is the highway”. I believe that Flannery O’Connor put this concept into her story to add greater emphasis to the grace and clarity Mr. Head finds at the end of the story. It gives way for a larger change and growth in her characters.

 -Student GG: (L): Indeed, Student, right you are. And if you have a certain theology teacher - well, Lord help you! It is such a fine line. Adults want to guide young people and make sure they are safe and making good decisions. Sometimes we forget that you have your own mind and know when and how to ask for help!