Wise Blood Character Analysis

Flannery O’Connor was able to establish humor alongside religion within Wise Blood, which engages the reader more and softens the serious connotation of religion. Hazel’s character is very comedic. O’Connor paints everyone around Hazel as being so attracted to his uniqueness and determination, yet he is easily annoyed and disgusted by each of them. It is so humorous how he hates the mere presence of each character, yet they fall in love with him. O’Connor also included a series of funny quotes using techniques such as word play, metaphors, and undercuts of common Christian beliefs. In this chapter, O’Connor is describing the temptations consuming Hazel’s mind. Hazel is talking about how he can feel God trying to convince him to ask for forgiveness
No truth behind all truths is what I and this church preach! Where you come from is gone, where you thought you were going to never was there, and where you are is no good unless you can get away from it. Where is there a place for you to be? No place... In yourself right now is all the place you've got.” O’Connor also used metaphors to create a humorous undertone in the short novel, such as when Mr. Hawks tells Hazel, “I can smell the sin on your breath.” This quote is presented during a serious altercation between the two, which is why the quote is so much more hilarious. Hazel is standing face to face with Mr. Hawks trying to persuade Mr. Hawks with the powerful message he thinks he owns. Combining humor along with the critique of religion is a daunting task without angering readers, harming the author’s reputation, or causing book sales to drop. O’Connor successfully established humor within Hazel alongside with