Revealation

            Flannery O"Connor's "Revelation" and Ernest Gaines "The Sky is Gray" are both examples of short stories that reveal a lesson learned in life. Each author expresses these lessons through characterization, setting, and theme. .
             James the young boy in "The Sky is Gray", and Mrs. Turnip in "Revelation are both very proud characters. James is afraid to tell his mama about his toothache. He rather have the pain then have to reveal how much it actually hurts ("It ain't hurting me no more", I say. "I can eat anything on it.") He tries to be strong for the others in the family (I"m scared of the dark, too, but I make "tend I ain't. I make "tend I ain't because I"m the oldest, and I got to set a good sample for the rest.") Mrs. Turnip is very self satisfied and feels she is a very hard working woman ("If its one thing that I am is grateful. When I think who all I could have been besides myself and what all I got, a little of everything, and a good disposition besides, I just feel like shouting, "Thank you, Jesus, for making everything the way it is!") Although they are of different race and social class they both very noble characters. .
             Both story settings include a trip to the doctor's office, but they vary in what happens. James and Mama are looked at as low class throughout the story, having to sit in the back of the bus because of their color. They are not allowed in many of the cafes in town. It's cold and sleeting throughout the story, but they keep on moving. On the other hand, Mrs.Turnip is a home and landowner, having many privileges throughout life, doing what she can others, and to make herself feel worthy. .
             Throughout both stories each character learns a lesson. James understands that he has to go through hardships in life to make it. In the scene where James has to kill the little red bird he is crying and begging his mama not to make him kill the bird, but he understands ("I know why I had to do it.