Flannery O Connor's A Good Man Is Hard To Find

In the short story A Good Man Is Hard to Find, written by Flannery O’Connor, the theme that the definition of a ‘good man’ is mysterious and flawed is apparent. The reader must realize that it is difficult to universalize the definition of a good man because every person goes through different experiences. Thus, these experiences affect his or her viewpoint and in turn flaw ones view on a good man. O’Connor conveys this theme through her excellent use of diction, imagery, foreshadowing, and symbolism as well as through a creative use of repetition and an omniscient point of view.

Thesis Statement: In Flannery O'Connor's short story, "A Good Man is Hard to Find”, the grandmother's journey from being controlling and selfish to graceful symbolizes a Christian's journey toward salvation.

“A Good Man is Hard to Find” retells a story of all the evil in this world and how hard it is to find a good person. By creating strong characters and using figurative language and literary techniques, O’Connor leaves the reader

The author uses the grandmother to tell the story in a limited omniscient third person point of view. Because the grandmother tells the story, we are able to see the extreme biasness of an old-fashion style of judgments. While on the road trip the grandson insults his home state. The grandmother quickly enforces her disagreement stating that during her time, “children were more respectful of their native states and their parents and everything else. People did right then” (965). This explains why the author chooses the grandmother to enforce her beliefs on to the audience. Without the grandmother stating her conservative beliefs, the story would lose that feel of superior thinking the grandmother presents as a quaint woman southerner. The grandmother grew up accepting the standard that in order to be socially accepted, you must have proper etiquette and dress like a lady. Before leaving for the trip the grandmother was dressed in a “navy blue straw sailor hat

The foreshadowing provided by O’Connor is an unmistakably blunt literary device incorporated in the story to give a sense of what will happen next, without giving it completely away. This in turn has the rising action turn into rising suspense as well. The grandmother is wearing an extremely fancy set of clothing, to include white cotton gloves, so that “[i]n case of an accident, anyone seeing her dead on the highway would know at once that she was a lady” (O’Connor 498). The grandmother had actually dressed for her death in this regard, a most unusual way to pick your outfit for the day, it could only foreshadow the upcoming events and run in with The Misfit. “‘She wouldn’t stay at home for a million bucks,’ June Star said. ‘Afraid she’d miss something’” (O’Connor 498). The fact that the grandmother really didn’t want to go on this trip to Florida

The Grandmother displays the proper image of a southern Christian woman in the presence of other people. Her clothing, her perfection, and her attitude are perceived as truly religious. In reality, the grandmother is exceedingly selfish and corrupt morally. She preaches and gives sermons throughout the story yet in the face of danger she thinks only of herself. O'Conner writes “…the grandmother had on a navy blue straw sailor hat with a bunch of white violets on the brim and a navy blue dress with a small white dot in the print. Her collar and cuffs were white organdy trimmed with lace, and at her neckline, she pinned a purple spray of cloth violets containing a sachet. In case of an accident, anyone seeing her dead on the highway would know at once that she was a lady” (O'Conner, 2007). She is obviously over dressed for a road trip, again it pin points the grandmother's obsession with materials. Grandmother uses gender roles, “you wouldn’t shoot a lady would you,”(O'Conner, 2007) and religious images to try to save herself. She preaches and prays to the Misfit as if he is Jesus, “Jesus…you’ve got good blood, Jesus you ought not to shoot a lady” (O'Conner, 2007). She radiates an aura of holiness at the same time sounding self-serving.

The grandmother is an old woman who likes it her way or no way. She does this by being talkative and manipulating others to do what she wants. As said on page 860, "You wouldn't shoot a lady, would you?" the Grandmother said and removed a clean handkerchief from

In this story, the grandmother seems to consider herself as the leader of the family. She seems to think of herself as having higher standards than other people, and therefore, she is quick to pass judgment on others. For example, she tells the children’s mother and father, “You all ought to take them somewhere else for a change so they would see different parts of the world and be bored. They never have been to Tennessee” (O’Connor 436).” The grandmother is a very opinionated, talkative, narcissistic, and manipulative woman who frequently controls the other family members. She is the one who calls attention to the fact that a dangerous criminal is on the loose and is located on the route to Florida. Apparently the grandmother thinks this information can compel the father and mother to change their traveling plans. The grandmother seems to cares only about her own wants and desires and has little interest in the wants and desires of

When reading “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” my foremost impression is that it’s a very suspenseful story. The writing has a sort of still and detached feeling to it that makes the reader feel like an outsider. While character thoughts are occasionally stated, motivations aren’t openly shown and it’s hard to find much character development unless careful examination is made. Being interested in psychology, I found these nuances interesting. Even so, I initially didn’t find the characters likable. The grandmother, for instance, is very self-centered. When she mentions that there’s a murderer running loose in the family’s designated vacation area, she doesn’t do so out of concern. Rather, she just wants to go somewhere else and is “seizing at every chance to change [her son’s] mind.” When her family begins getting killed, she never begs for their lives, but is preoccupied with pleading for her own, telling the Misfit that he “ought not to shoot a lady” (348).

Throughout the story, the grandmother is in conflict with her family due to not being able

Does her performance fit that of a Catholic? Apparently, it does not. The Grandmother’s attitude in the story echoes that of a Protestant, specifically, that of a Puritan. As the story progresses, the Grandmother voices the importance of success in redemption. The Grandmother presents herself as a “lady” who wears “white cotton gloves”, “a navy blue straw sailor hat with a bunch of white violets in the brim” and a matching dress (O’Connor 130).

One of the most pivotal moments of all, however, is the old lady’s epiphany, revealing the profound message of all. Altogether, “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” is a product of interwoven themes of faith presented through the characterization of two opposing characters. Throughout the story, the grandmother continually calls The Misfit a “good man,” and while this is most likely just another attempt to manipulate him into not murdering her, it is still something to be considered.

Manipulation is a major theme in the story “A Good Man is Hard to Find”. In the story, the grandmother

Many people have a different definition of a “good” man. Flannery O’ Connor short-story “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” gives readers a brief view on the subject. In the story the foundation for what makes a good man seems to only come from the grandmother. However when she is faces with a disadvantage by Misfit, he puts a twist on her views, and shatters that foundation. “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” is neither a happy nor sad story, both characters have many flaws and seem undeserving, but through an unexpected encounter they both found grace and redemption.

“A Good Man Is Hard To Find ”, is a short story about a man and his family. The story focuses on what happens the family when they are challenged by fate. The grandmother plays the biggest role in the story. She is responsible for the family’s fate because she intervened with their original plans. Had she not persisted on having her way, the story’s outcome would be different. In the story the grandmother has a controlling personality, the family cannot avoid their fate, and the ending provides a sense of closure.