Respond to the following essay prompt. In her essay "Writing Short Stories" Flannery O'Connor says this about characterization: "You can't cut characters off from their society and say much about them as individuals." "You can't say anything meaningful about the mystery of personality unless you put that personality in a believable and significant social context." Consider the quotations above. Then pick a story from Semester A and evaluate how the social context and the characters work together not only to provide a vivid setting, but also to help explain and develop the characters' thoughts, words, and actions. 16 sentences
In Flannery O'Connor's essay "Writing Short Stories," she emphasizes the importance of placing characters in a social context in order to truly understand and develop them. According to O'Connor, characters cannot be isolated from their society as it limits our ability to comprehend their individuality. The social context is crucial in creating a vivid setting and in explaining and developing the characters' thoughts, words, and actions. One story where this interplay between social context and character development is evident is "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. In this story, the protagonist, a woman suffering from postpartum depression, is confined to a room in an old mansion by her physician husband. Through the social context of the time, where women's autonomy and mental health were often dismissed, the reader gains a deeper understanding of her thoughts, words, and actions. The societal expectation for women to be subservient and obedient enables the husband to dismiss the woman's concerns about her deteriorating mental state, leading to her descent into madness. The social context of the story highlights the oppressive nature of the patriarchal society and its impact on the character's development. In "The Yellow Wallpaper," the vivid setting of the room with its barred windows and deteriorating yellow wallpaper mirrors the protagonist's state of mind, further revealing the effect of the social context on her psyche. Another story that demonstrates the interplay between social context and character development is "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner. The story is set in the post-Civil War South, where the social hierarchy and traditions of the time heavily influence the character of Emily Grierson. The social context of the town's expectations and societal norms shape Emily's actions throughout the story. For instance, her refusal to accept her father's death and her subsequent isolation in the decaying family home can be attributed to the pressures of maintaining her family's reputation and social standing. The characters in "A Rose for Emily" not only exist within the social context, but also serve as representatives of it. Emily's character, trapped in the traditions and conventions of her community, is a commentary on the southern aristocracy's struggles to adapt to the changing times. The social context of the story, its vivid setting, and the characters' interactions provide a deeper understanding of the themes of stagnation and resistance to change. The story "Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway also exemplifies the significance of social context in character development. Set in the 1920s, in the midst of the Prohibition era, the story explores the societal constraints and power dynamics between men and women. The characters, a couple sitting at a train station, are in the midst of a pivotal moment in their relationship. The social context of the time, where abortion was heavily frowned upon and considered taboo, influences the characters' thoughts, words, and actions. The man's insistence on the procedure, contrasting with the woman's reluctance, reveals the power dynamics in their relationship and the societal pressure on women to conform to male desires. The social context also shapes the characters' dialogue, with subtle implications and hidden meanings, reflecting the underlying tension and unease within the conversation. The vivid setting of the train station, symbolic of the characters' uncertain future, reinforces the effects of the social context on their thoughts and actions. In conclusion, the selected stories illustrate Flannery O'Connor's assertion that the social context and characters in a narrative work together to provide a vivid setting and to explain and develop the characters' thoughts, words, and actions. Whether it is the confinement of the protagonist in "The Yellow Wallpaper," the pressures of maintaining social norms in "A Rose for Emily," or the power dynamics shaped by societal attitudes in "Hills Like White Elephants," the social context plays a crucial role in creating a deeper understanding of the characters' motivations and behaviors. By placing characters within their social context, authors are able to explore the complexities of human nature and provide a more comprehensive analysis of their personalities.
