THE PITFALLS OF MORAL RESPONSIBILITY IN TWO SHORT STORIES BY FLANNERY O’CONNOR AND KATHERINE ANN PORTER

Abstract

Theories of morality have warned us about the possibility of power-wielding in caregiving situations. They argue that moral decisions are often slippery slopes that can easily—unbeknownst to those involved—lead to oppression. One reason for the degeneration of care into power can be explained in terms of the solipsistic interpretation of the care-receiver’s needs. It is not simply the question of the language barrier. The problem is the nature of the care relationship itself which concerns the authority either granted or assumed by the caregiver. Also, in caregiving situations, the caregiver might use care as a smokescreen to hide their self-serving intentions. To further elaborate, I will draw on Zygmunt Bauman’s ideas about care and moral responsibility. His exploration of the problem of care and moral responsibility constitutes the theoretical premise on which I will build my argument using two examples from literature to show how care can lapse into power. I have chosen these two short stories to demonstrate the way caregiving situations are potential mine-fields where a misstep can result in unintended deleterious consequences. Porter’s “He” and O’Connor’s “The Life You Save May Be Your Own” perfectly illustrate this point.