The Lame Shall Enter First Analysis
When comparing and contrasting “The Lame Shall Enter First” and “A Hunger Artist” several similarities, along with many differences, are found. In “The Lame Shall Enter First,” by Flannery O’Connor and “A Hunger Artist,” by Franz Kafka, the audience is lead to interpret the feeling of entrapment. Norton and the hunger artist encounter loneliness, neglect, and misunderstanding. Throughout the stories each character allows their emotions to leak and we begin to see the cause and effect of their trapped lifestyle. Entrapment intensifies when you are misunderstood, neglected, and lonely.
Misunderstanding causes conditions to worsen. Misunderstanding lead both Norton and the hunger artist to entrapment. The Hunger Artist has been misunderstood for …show more content…
Loneliness is present in both “A Hunger Artist” and “The Lame Shall Enter First.” While Norton feels lonely because of his home life, the hunger artist feels lonely because of his art—which eventually leads him to a lonely death. "A Hunger Artist" explores the loneliness that the main character encountered throughout the various stages of his exhibit. From the very beginning of his fasting, the hunger artist seemed lonely, yet he was surrounded by crowds. “... and then again withdrawing deep into himself, paying no attention to anyone or anything…” (par. 1). Despite the crowds, the Hunger Artist is still able to be completely absorbed with himself. Given that the hunger artist is clearly devoted to his art, the unusual art of starvation; this quote shows that the hunger artist has clearly been lonely in his journey for quite some time, even when his exhibit was popular. For the purpose of his art, loneliness seems to be the price he has to pay for his originality. In “The Lame Shall Enter First,” Norton’s loneliness stems from the isolation of his father, whereas the hunger artist is lonely because of his choice, his profession. Loneliness begins to reside in Norton the instant Sheppard begins talking about Rufus moving in. “It was dawning upon him that something of his was threatened” (par. 16). Norton is referring to his father. For fear that he would lose what was left of his father's attention, Norton didn’t like the thought of Rufus moving in. O’Connor utilizes several quotes that show Sheppard’s abandonment. “That afternoon Norton was alone in the house… (par. 72). “...he found Norton there alone” (par. 203). “He left Norton at home because he did not want his attention divided” (par. 270). Because of the isolation that 10-year-old Norton had to face, he began to get trapped into an isolated way of life, and eventually took his life. Similarly, because of the alienation that the hunger artist
Misunderstanding causes conditions to worsen. Misunderstanding lead both Norton and the hunger artist to entrapment. The Hunger Artist has been misunderstood for …show more content…
Loneliness is present in both “A Hunger Artist” and “The Lame Shall Enter First.” While Norton feels lonely because of his home life, the hunger artist feels lonely because of his art—which eventually leads him to a lonely death. "A Hunger Artist" explores the loneliness that the main character encountered throughout the various stages of his exhibit. From the very beginning of his fasting, the hunger artist seemed lonely, yet he was surrounded by crowds. “... and then again withdrawing deep into himself, paying no attention to anyone or anything…” (par. 1). Despite the crowds, the Hunger Artist is still able to be completely absorbed with himself. Given that the hunger artist is clearly devoted to his art, the unusual art of starvation; this quote shows that the hunger artist has clearly been lonely in his journey for quite some time, even when his exhibit was popular. For the purpose of his art, loneliness seems to be the price he has to pay for his originality. In “The Lame Shall Enter First,” Norton’s loneliness stems from the isolation of his father, whereas the hunger artist is lonely because of his choice, his profession. Loneliness begins to reside in Norton the instant Sheppard begins talking about Rufus moving in. “It was dawning upon him that something of his was threatened” (par. 16). Norton is referring to his father. For fear that he would lose what was left of his father's attention, Norton didn’t like the thought of Rufus moving in. O’Connor utilizes several quotes that show Sheppard’s abandonment. “That afternoon Norton was alone in the house… (par. 72). “...he found Norton there alone” (par. 203). “He left Norton at home because he did not want his attention divided” (par. 270). Because of the isolation that 10-year-old Norton had to face, he began to get trapped into an isolated way of life, and eventually took his life. Similarly, because of the alienation that the hunger artist