Before the Sun Has Set: Retribution in the Fiction of Flannery O’Connor

by John Lawrence Darretta

This detailed analysis of the theme of retribution is a key to understanding the fiction of Flannery O’Connor. An idea central to the Bible, Dante, and Chaucer – one is paid back for the evil one does or for failure to do good – retribution expresses O’Connor’s interest as a writer and defines the contour of her achievement as an artist. Within the twenty-year span of her writing career, O’Connor’s notion of retribution expanded from her original concept in her first story, «The Geranium,» of retribution as personal and familial, to her final version in her last story, «Judgement Day,» which shows an interest that is eschatological.

147 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2006

Reviews

[Angela Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent analysis of the fiction of Flannery O’Connor, especially in the connection to the Christian concept of retribution as seen in the works of Dante and Chaucer. I reread her short stories and saw a deeper meaning in them. O’Connor’s angry characters were in need of heeding the quote from Ephesians in the New Testament: “do not let the sun go down on your anger.” O’Connor saw retribution for her characters if they did not rectify their anger and differences with others before the day ended.” If you like O’Connor, you will like this book.

[Rachel Hackett · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is basically an extended version of the "motifs" section of sparknotes. The authoer never gets to the point. Lots of plot summary of O'Connor's work and very brief analysis involving retribution and other motifs. Does not answer the "so what question"