The Lame Shall Enter First By Flannery O Connor

Jennie Pascua
Professor Michelle Johnson
English 1B Summer Online
July 31, 2014
Essay # 2 “The Lame Shall Enter First”
The Power of Faith Human nature perceives good and evil as two different realms. Good is perceived as manifestations of love, purity, salvation and goodness in the lives of people. Lesser good is judged to be evil. Frequently, the perception of good and evil is based on our own frame of acceptance. When we judge other people, we create a separation between good and evil. Such people believe their actions are based on clear reasons and understanding. As a result, often they feel superior or better than another. Such moralist person is the protagonist Sheppard of Flannery O’Connor’s “The Lame Shall Enter First.” Sheppard is
“He had never been inside a confessional but he thought it must be the same kind of operation he had there” (149). He self-righteously thinks his job is similar to priests but “his credentials were less dubious than a priest’s” (149). Sheppard works “at the reformatory as a counselor, receiving nothing” (145). He receives satisfaction in believing that “doing good” for others is the most important thing in life but unknowingly cannot tend to his son’s emotional needs. Sheppard believes he has provided everything to Norton. Instead of showering his son with love and understanding, he makes Norton feel guilty in his childish behaviors. He lectures him about less fortunate children and acts of sharing that are difficult for the young boy to
But he declares himself to be under the power of Satan. In order to educate Rufus about science and astronomy, Sheppard buys him a telescope. Sheppard is fascinated by science and astronomy as he claims, “We’re living in the space age” (151). Sheppard’s intention is for Rufus to detach himself about the idea of good and evil. The telescope instead becomes a source for Norton to see Rufus as someone who can enlighten him about death and heaven. Norton through Rufus receives more acceptable explanations where his mother is. Rufus tells Norton if his mother believes in Jesus, “she’s saved” (165). But “Right now you’d go where she is, but if you live long enough, you’ll go to hell,” warns Rufus to Norton (166). Rufus’ insights and sharings contradict Sheppard’s stories to his son. He wants his son to believe “[his mother] doesn’t exist” (165). Norton needs a moral explanation, but Sheppard fails to do so. He also buys Rufus a new shoe perfect for his clubfoot. Sheppard thinks “the shoe [is] going to make the greatest difference in the boy’s attitude” (162). Rufus rejects the new shoe to destroy Sheppard’s ambitious plan that he can change him. Sheppard is convinced he can transform Rufus and Norton in his own might but outside the real sense of