Flannery O'Connor's Christian Fiction and the Importance of the Grotesque

Flannery O'Connor's Christian fiction aims to depict hopeful narratives with the potential for redemption by using tools of distortion to make spiritual realities visible. O'Connor aspired to prophetic vision, seeking to reveal deep meanings in near and far things through her stories. She emphasizes the importance of the grotesque, eschewing wooing and focusing on pain in preparation for death. Unlike Tolkien's fairy stories, O'Connor's work delves into supernatural elements within the mundane world, exploring themes of heaven, hell, angels, demons, sin, and grace. While Tolkien highlights the mystical, magical, and mirrored aspects of fairy stories, O'Connor's focus on the grotesque sets her apart, aiming to reveal the supernatural in everyday experiences rather than a self-contained fairyland.