'Special Duties' (1954 ) by Graham Greene

'Special Duties' is a short story by Graham Greene, first published in 1954 as part of his collection Twenty-One Stories. The narrative delves into themes of religious devotion, hypocrisy, and the commodification of spirituality.

Plot Summary:
The story centers on Mr. William Ferraro, a wealthy London industrialist who adopts a transactional approach to his spiritual well-being. To minimize his time in purgatory, Ferraro hires Miss Saunders, a devout former head girl from the Convent of Saint Latitudinaria and a three-time recipient of the convent's annual piety award. Her "special duties" involve performing religious acts—such as attending Masses and obtaining indulgences—on Ferraro's behalf, with meticulous records kept to account for the days of purgatory supposedly remitted.

Ferraro's methodical approach to salvation reflects his businesslike mentality, treating spiritual merits as commodities to be acquired. However, his system unravels when he discovers that Miss Saunders has been neglecting her assigned devotions, instead engaging in a romantic affair during her supposed religious duties. This revelation exposes the superficiality and hypocrisy in Ferraro's understanding of faith, as he is more concerned with the quantifiable aspects of salvation than genuine spiritual reflection.

Themes:
Transactional Faith: The story critiques the reduction of spiritual practices to mere transactions, highlighting the absurdity of attempting to "purchase" salvation through delegated piety.

Hypocrisy and Self-Deception: Both Ferraro and Miss Saunders embody forms of hypocrisy—Ferraro in his commodified view of faith, and Miss Saunders in her facade of devoutness while leading a double life.

Superficiality of Religious Practices: Greene explores how religious rituals can become hollow when divorced from sincere belief and personal commitment.

'Special Duties' serves as a satirical examination of how religious practices can be distorted by materialistic and insincere approaches, prompting readers to reflect on the true essence of faith and devotion.