Flannery O'Connor (1925-1964) was a writer who depicted the beliefs of the "New South" and was not mired in the ways of traditional Southern ideals. She was born in Savannah, Georgia and graduated from the Georgia State College for Women. She also attended the University of Iowa where she received a master's degree in fine arts. Flannery O'Connor died on August 3, 1964 of complications from lupus, the same disease that claimed the life of her father. Some people have claimed that O'Connor based her story, "A Good Man is Hard to Find", on the actual events of a Georgia murder.
             As I read this story, I can't help but wonder if the author meant for it to have a hidden symbolic moral message or simply be just an intriguing tale of misery? I suppose any story could be analyzed enough to pick out some alternate interpretation, contrary to the author's intent. Certainly there are instances which could be viewed with deeper meaning in this story. Evidence of the decline of future society is alluded to by the children's disrespect for their parents and their lack of discipline. Grandmother's conversation with Red Sammy also predicts the breakdown of mankind (p. 143). Grandmother is portrayed as a devoutly Christian woman but is nevertheless desirous of material wealth and vanity. This is perhaps a metaphor for the prevalence of hypocrisy in the church. In spite of O'Connor's true intentions, I don't think she obligated readers to remain within some imaginary boundary of interpretation.
             Foreshadowing of events is used very effectively throughout this story. Grandmother rants about the Misfit being "...aloose from the Federal Pen..." (139). The Misfit is brought up again during conversation at Red Sammy's. These details would not have been necessary if not predicting future events. Some of the more subtle hints to the conclusion of...