Greenleaf is a short story written by Flannery O'Connor, published in 1956 as part of her collection "A Good Man is Hard to Find." It is a story about Mrs. May, a wealthy, arrogant woman who owns a farm in rural Georgia. She is visited by Mrs. Greenleaf, a poor, simple woman who has come to seek her help. Mrs. May is unkind to Mrs. Greenleaf and treats her with contempt, believing herself to be superior due to her wealth and social status.
Throughout the story, O'Connor uses the character of Mrs. May to explore themes of pride, hypocrisy, and the dangers of judging others. Mrs. May is portrayed as a deeply flawed character, one who is consumed by her own ego and lacks empathy for those less fortunate than herself. She is convinced of her own superiority, and looks down upon Mrs. Greenleaf with disdain.
However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Mrs. May is not as superior as she thinks. She is revealed to be a hypocrite, as she claims to be a good Christian but fails to practice the compassion and love that are central to the teachings of Christ. This is exemplified when Mrs. May refuses to help Mrs. Greenleaf, even though she is in desperate need of assistance.
In the end, Mrs. May is confronted with the truth about herself, and is forced to confront the reality of her own flaws and weaknesses. Through the character of Mrs. May, O'Connor highlights the dangers of pride and the importance of humility and compassion.
Overall, Greenleaf is a powerful and thought-provoking story that explores complex themes of pride, hypocrisy, and the dangers of judging others. Through the character of Mrs. May, O'Connor illustrates the destructive effects of ego and the importance of treating others with kindness and empathy.