The religious symbolism and undertones of Flannery O'Connor's "Good Country People"
             The short story "Good Country People," by Flannery O'Connor, is a work that uses both irony and symbolism to convey to the reader a religious message. The heroine, Hulga Hopewell, is a stocky atheistic woman in her early 30's who lost a leg in a hunting accident when she was ten. She holds a PhD but seems to be inexperienced in worldly matters. When a traveling bible salesman of 19 arrives she is initially scornful, but she later warms to him when she learns of his debilitating heart condition. Imagining that with her superior intellect she could seduce him, she leads him to the top of a hayloft. He wins her trust and convinces her to take off her prosthetic leg. The tables turn, however, when he opens the false bottom of the bible to reveal a flask of whiskey, some pornographic cards, and a box of prophylactics. He then keys her to the gruesome fact that he has made of practice of stealing prosthetics of the handicapped. The author uses style, tone, setting, and especially irony and symbolism to build up to the deep religious undertone of the work.
             The story takes place in a rural setting on a farm owned by Mrs. Hopewell, Hulga's mother. Although it is never precisely defined, the story probably took place sometime in the mid-20th century. The setting is important because it helps in defining the supporting characters "good country people,". It assists the reader in in visualizing Mrs. Hopewell, the Freeman's, and Tom Pointer, the bible salesman, as slow-paced country folk.
             The language and diction used in this piece is one of informality. The characters often speak in colloquialisms which lends to the overall style of the work.
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