The antagonistic vision of sexuality in WisebloodIn the novel Wiseblood, by Flannery O'Connor, we find an unpleasant, almost antagonistic vision of sexuality. The author seems to view sex as evil and emphasizes this theme throughout the novel. Every sexual incident that occurs in the novel is tainted with grotesquem. Different levels of the darker side of sexuality are exposed, from perversion to blatant displays of nudity. This serves to give the novel a somewhat moralizing connotation. The “Carnival Episode” illustrates Hazel’s first experience with sexuality. The author depicts an incident surrounded by an aura of sin. Indeed, the promoter of the show claims that it is “SINsational”. In her eagerness to see the show, Haze resorted to lying about her age. He was really looking forward to seeing him. When he enters the tent, Haze observes the body of an obese naked woman writhing in a coffin lined with black cloth. He quickly leaves the stage. This early struggle with sexuality was certainly grotesque and one that may have helped strengthen his resolve not to experiment with sex for years. Haze reacted to the incident on different levels. Before watching the “show”, he was filled with curiosity. He really wanted to see this “EXCLUSIVE” show. After taking a look at the body, he first thought it was a skinned animal. When he realized what it was, he immediately left the tent, ashamed and perhaps frightened by the object before his eyes. Hazel's reaction wasn't abnormal. The sight he faced would strike both fear and embarrassment in most ten-year-olds. Not only was the body naked, but it was also in a coffin. The author parallels this vulgar d...... middle of paper ...... inful, because it is false. Through the depiction of Mrs. Leora Watts and Hazel's first sexual encounter, it is more than evident that the novel treats the subject of sexuality in an unpleasant manner. Leora Watts is the physical manifestation of the author's contempt for sexuality and prostitution. It is both repulsive and grotesque. Sexuality is treated as an ugly thing and sex for pleasure is considered immoral. In the novel Wiseblood, the reader is confronted with an antagonistic and unfavorable view of sexuality. The novel depicts sex as evil, which encourages the lowest forms of human behavior. Through individuals like Leora Watts and Enoch Emery, the author depicts people who have reached the depths of perversion and the grotesque.Works Cited: O'Connor, Flannery. Blood wise. Three by Flannery O'Connor. New York: Signet, 1962.