"The basis of art is truth, both in matter and in mode"

Flannery O’Connor asserts that authenticity is foundational to all genuine art. Truth, as she notes, encompasses both what is depicted and the manner in which it is realized. The “matter” refers to the subject, characters, scenes, emotions, ideas, while “mode” captures technique, style, and form. Great art avoids artificiality or mere prettiness; it draws its power from engaging honestly with reality, no matter how unsettling or mundane that reality may be.

To portray truth in matter, the artist refrains from sugar-coating experience or offering caricatured simplifications. Characters must resonate as real, in their contradictions and vulnerabilities, rather than existing as empty symbols or plot devices. Landscapes and situations bear the stamp of particularity: the rust on an abandoned car, the shadow cast at dusk, the awkward pause in conversation. Through this specificity, artworks connect to universal human experience. In literature, painting, film, or any other medium, audiences find reflections of their own struggles and aspirations in faithfully rendered moments.

Equally vital is truth in mode. The way a story is told or an image is crafted reveals the artist’s attitude toward the subject. Is the approach honest, avoiding manipulative sentimentality or disingenuous detachment? O’Connor’s insistence on truthful mode demands that style, voice, and structure serve the integrity of the work rather than distract with ornamentation or trend-chasing. Authenticity of voice is especially characteristic of O’Connor’s own Southern Gothic style, which edges close to grotesque or absurd but always remains anchored in recognizable human behavior and belief.

Art, then, is not merely imitation or decoration; it is a serious inquiry into reality. By marrying truth in both substance and execution, the artist fulfills their role not just as a creator, but as a witness, engaging openly with the world’s complexities and forging works that resonate with readers or viewers long after the initial encounter.