In Flannery O'Connor's "Revelation," why do only three of the characters have names?

Hollis Sanders

Technically, four characters are named in the story: Mrs. Turpin, Claude, Mary Grace,
and Miss Finley. However, Miss Finley is a character with a momentary appearance of no
consequence whatsoever, so this answer will focus on the first three. The titular revelation
that occurs in the story is that the preconceived notions about class and status that Mrs.
Turpin perceives as virtues are at best misguided and at worst deeply prejudiced and vain.


The story is written in free-indirect style from Mrs. Turpin's point of
view. Characters other than her beloved Claude are referred to by their most superficial
characteristics. Mrs. Turpin's view of the world revolves around her perceived hierarchy of
human value. She...

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