Praxis Dashboard

Successful novels and stories are not produced by following a specific set of rules.

Flannery O'Connor believed that the creative process was not bound by specific rules, as she felt that artists "discovered" the truth of their stories during the act of writing. This perspective supports the inference that she would agree with the statement regarding the non-reliance on rules for producing successful works.

A) O'Connor's novel Wise Blood was an artistic success.

This option is incorrect because the extract indicates that O'Connor recognized her novel Wise Blood as a failure in terms of artistic merit. Therefore, she would not agree that it was an artistic success.

B) Artists can almost never evaluate their own creations reliably.

While this statement suggests a general skepticism about self-evaluation by artists, the context does not support it. O'Connor was aware of the merits of her own works, indicating that she could indeed evaluate her creations effectively, albeit not necessarily in a conventional manner.

C) Successful novels and stories are not produced by following a specific set of rules.

This statement aligns perfectly with O'Connor's belief that the act of creation is subject to no rules. The passage clearly states her view that the truth of her stories is discovered through the writing process itself, reinforcing this perspective.

D) Writers rarely reveal truths about their own lives in the stories and novels they produce.

This option is not supported by the extract. While it does not directly address O'Connor's views on personal truth in writing, the passage implies that there is a connection between the writer's process and the truths revealed in their works, suggesting otherwise.

E) Writing conferences offer valuable instruction concerning the craft of writing.

O'Connor's quote about writers' conferences implies a level of skepticism towards the clichés discussed there. She felt that these gatherings may not provide valuable instruction as they rely on conventional methods, which contradicts the idea that they are beneficial for craft development.

Conclusion

The correct answer, C, is definitively supported by O'Connor's belief in the freedom of the creative process, which operates outside of strict rules. All other options either misinterpret her views or contradict the insights provided in the extract, highlighting the unique perspective she held on artistic creation and evaluation.