Power in OConnors The Artificial Nigger and Masons Shiloh Essay

Power in OConnors The Artificial Nigger and Masons Shiloh Flannery OConnors story The Artificial Nigger and Bobbie Ann Masons story Shiloh both possess characters that excercise government agency . Mr. Head, the main character that exercises spot in The Artificial Nigger, is an old racist man, who claims to know everything. In Masons story, Norma Jean, a simple southern woman who trusts change in her life, is the main character that exercises post. Both characters are equal in their successful exercise of power however, the effects their power have are different. Mr. Heads exercise of power has a negative effect on his grandson, Nelson, while Norma Jeans exercise of power serves as a way to benefit herself. Mr. Heads main focus is to make Nelson fix black people as niggers and for Nelson to fear the city. Mr. Heads affirming nature effects Nelson in a negative manner. From the beginning of the story, Mr. Heads powerful and controling personality is evident when the narrator s tates, ...he dictum half of the moon five feet away in his shaving mirror, paused as if it were waiting to enter (249). Mr. Heads desire to control also extends to all aspects of life. His intentions for Nelson are illume when he says, ...but I mean for him to get his fill once and for all (254). By making Nelson feel powerless, Mr. Head steals away his innocence. Before influencing his grandson, Nelsons description of a black man is A man, but later in the story Nelson begins to see black people as niggers, just like his grandfather (255). Fearing the city, also has a negative effect on Nelson. He holds pride in being born in Atlanta, but his grandfather wants to teach Nelson that he had no execute for pride merely because he had been... ...aking classes, she is able to slowly but surely find her independence again. Norma Jean finally tells her husband that she wants to leave him because she does not want to ...feel eighteen again (500). By leaving Leroy and starting a new life , Norma Jean is able to forget the pain and embarassment she felt many years ago. The power she possesses enables her to succeed in her wish to move on. The characters in both stories have similarities and differences. Mr. Head and Norma Jean use their power to get what they want. Both are similar because they are successful in exercising their power and are different becausse their power has different effects. Mr. Head thrives on control and succeeds in his plan to control his grandson. Norma Jean works at self-improvemennt so that she can leave her husband and continue to live the life that she has longed for.