Analysis of "Good Country People" by Flannery O'Connor
The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the short story "Good Country People" by Flannery O'Connor. Specifically, it will discuss the themes and symbols used in the story. This surprising story uses the simple theme of good versus evil, but with an unexpected twist. The symbols of the Bible and God, versus the philosopher who believes in "nothing" are fairly common in literature, but O'Connor twists them to shock the reader, just as she twists the end of the story to leave the reader surprised and disappointed at the same time. The themes in this story lead the reader down one path, while the ending takes a turn the reader was never expecting.From the beginning of this story, the author uses symbols and themes to lead the reader toward an expected outcome. One of the first symbols is Mrs. Freeman, who never seems to be surprised over anything. O'Connor writes, "Her forward expression was steady and driving like the advance of a heavy truck. Her eyes never swerved to left or right but turned as the story turned a
At first, it is easy to feel sorry for Hulga, because she has been victimized, but throughout the story she was so unlikable, it is hard to sympathize with her predicament. Hulga seems to symbolize evil in the story, while the "Christian" women symbolize good, but in the end, the symbols switch, and Hulga represents good or at least a sense of decency, while the "Christian" Bible salesman represents all that is evil in the world. 'I know I never could'" (O'Connor 14). It seems that all "good country people" are not the "salt of the earth" (O'Connor 6), as Mrs. Thus, the symbols are not always what they seem in the story. Freeman sums it up at the end of the story when she says, "'Some can't be that simple,' she said. In conclusion, O'Connor uses themes in this story that seem to lead to a forgone conclusion, but she adds a twist the reader never expected. She writes, "'You're a Christian!' she hissed. For all her learning and disdain of the people around her, she is still a trusting "good country person," and not as lofty as she thinks she is. s if they followed a yellow line down the center of it" (O'Connor 1). The symbolism here is a key to understanding the entire story. 'You're a fine Christian! You're just like them all - say one thing and do another'" (O'Connor 13). Clearly, the name Joy is a misnomer, because Hulga is one of the most unhappy and dissatisfied people anywhere. She symbolizes the non-believer and cynic in the story, and yet, in the end she is more vulnerable than all the others are, because she finally trusts someone, and her trust is shattered.
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Acceptance Essays
