Chapter 13, Part IV Summary and Analysis

This Part is entitled 'The Last Year', 1964. The editor, Sally Fitzgerald, includes a page long introductory note in italics to better orient the reader. There is no known reason why, unless it was some kind of hidden strife or the fierce competitiveness of the writing profession, but Flannery O'Connor now old enough to be called Mrs. even though she wasn't married, was still awfully young for her era and country to be facing death. Her health deteriorated. Sally Fitzgerald writes that she is convinced that Flannery knew this, but kept an upbeat attitude to the whole situation. Those who were sent letters from her that have been used in this collection are Elizabeth McKee, Janet McKane, Sally & Robert Fitzgerald, Maryat Lee, Thomas Stritch, 'A', Robert Giroux, Louise and Thomas Gossett, John Hawkes, Louise Abbot, Dr. T. R...