“The Lame Shall Enter First”  Different Analysis -

“The Lame Shall Enter First”

Different Analysis

The Father: Sheppard truly tried to save Rufus Johnson for the purpose to take a personal credit for it. That does not make him a bad man but it does make him selfish as he neglected his own son because of his hunger for personal success. In this process; he had no time to compensate the lost love of Norton`s dead mother. Also, because he is an atheist who does not believe in god he could not provide a convincing argument to his son that will protect him from being brainwashed by Johnson. Sheppard believes only in material world and science and he thought he could save Johnson through such believe meanwhile he could not see that he was losing his own son. Sheppard as all atheists; he underestimates the power of religion.

Also, Sheppard was as many fathers do paying too much care in wanting the fast-coming good for his son without paying much attention to the age gap and dealing with Norton as if he was twenty not ten years!

Rufus Johnson: Johnson is a sample of a religious extremist who uses religion for dominance over innocent people. His clubfoot is his "injustice tool" which he indirectly uses to support his argument against Sheppard. His "injustice tool" is also used but directly for intimidating innocent people (Norton) in order to brainwash them at a later stage. As all religious extremists; he is a liar, aggressive and racist towards all others, who do not share his belief, and mostly coming from a troubled social background. The only true statement he said in my opinion is that "He (Satan) has me in his power".

The Son: Norton resembles the innocent people. He was neglected by his father and the same time fearing Johnson. Norton was hiding in his dead mother rain coat looking for missing love and protection from Johnson. Although Norton feared Johnson, he did resist him staying in the house sharing his things but only in the presence of his father. Norton was an easy target for Johnson`s brainwashing and as always the innocent pays the price at the end. Flannery O`Connor is indeed a great writer. She wrote this fabulous story as if she was living in the Middle-East in 2019.

Nasser Ahdash

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