Christianity vs. Entrapment in OConnor Wise Blood Essay -- OConnor W

Christianity vs. Entrapment in OConnors Wise Blood In The Cage of subject field The World as Zoo in Flannery OConnors Wise Blood, William Rodney Allen addresses the reverse evolution of Enoch Emery and the inverted quest for salvation of Hazel Motes, suggesting a parallel between the twain main characters of OConnors novel which reinforces its theme of the utter hopelessness of those who reject or mock Christ. Allen shows that OConnor describes the spiritually devoid characters in her book in animal-like terms, equating treasonable humans with soulless animals. The essay further asserts that OConnor uses the zoo as a metaphor for a physical world that entraps those without spirituality. Indeed, the novel shows a world of madness, seemingly empty of values and without meaning, which becomes a prison for those who can find no enlightenment. However, OConnor herself once stated that Wise Blood is a very hopeful book. This statement, on with the fact of her devout Catholicism, il luminates OConnors theme of Christianity as a prerequisite for enlightenment and deli...