ragic death which claimed her younglife at the age of 39, she had written two novels and thirty-two short stories. as well ascommentaries and reviews. She died from Lupus, the same disease which shortenedthe life of her father. O Connors work has not always been understood completelyand appreciated for her unique and powerful themes. Many critics did not like her firstnovel, Wise Blood , positively because of its seemingly strange themes and characters.However, there was someone who gave her good reviews. Flannery was glad to hearthat there was someone who understood her novel and liked it, therefore, she wrote toBrainard Cheney to thank him herself. Later, many times they Cheneys, would visitFlannery at Andalusia, her mothers home just outside Milledgeville or Flannery wouldrepay the visit at their home on symyrna, Tennessee called Cold Chimneys. Theyexchanged many letters between them on various subjects, many times it was readingand giving feedback to each others work. Not only did they share their love of writingand learning, but they were Catholic Intillectualists in the heart of the South.Flannery had been a devout Catholic all her life yet was raised in a predominatelyProtestant geographical area. The Cheneys were relatively new to the world ofCatholicism since their conversion and kidding between them would often take place.Brainard Chenney had been an ex-Protestant. Who found his way back to the Church.O Connors stories combine her Southern Cultural heritage and its people behind herreligious and biblical imagery as well as violence. There seem to be no middle ground for her. Things are black and whiteaccording to OConnor; there is a road to be taken and one that should be avoided.O Conners world was that way. In this sense, it is simplistic to either live truly andaccording to ones convictions or not. She also exposes the deceit and hypocrisy inreligious institutions through her characters. Through the dark humor and comicalov...
