Similar is the case with the characters of Good Country People. Every character in Good Country People believes he or she has the moral high ground, but none of them leads the ethical life they claim to. By contrast, Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman are happy to gossip. She thought that she was savvy and saw through to nothing, perceiving the hypocrisy inherent in most perfect Christians, but the Bible Salesman mocks her for being surprised by his sinful behavior, as if believing that he might be genuinely religious was nave and childish on her part. but it ain't held me back none. This further distances their relationship. This is quite true of the real world also. 2. anywhere or introduce . LitCharts Teacher Editions. For instance, Hulga is irritant and moody due to the lack of care and love of a man. For instance, the eyeglass that Manley stole, Hulgas life incidents, her isolated life, the wooden leg, and the remote barn depict the gothic nature of the work. PDF downloads of all 1725 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. That statement, as Mrs. Hopewell knows, is something that "ended with the Greeks and Romans. Having made her commitment to Pointer, Hulga allows herself to indulge in a fantasy in which "she would run away with him and that every night he would take the leg off and every morning put it back on again." We see this withdrawal particularly in a scene in which her mother has just uttered a series of her favorite, ever-ready platitudes, and O'Connor focuses on Hulga's eyes. . They work on her farms and at her home. His religious devotion even shames Mrs. Hopewell into claiming (falsely) that she has a Bible at her bedside. Complete your free account to request a guide. Mrs. Hopewell reluctantly invites him for supper as she finds in him a person who resembles Joy due to his heart disease. More often, the characters demonstrate false claims of devotion. He has been the savvy manipulator all along (the exact opposite of a good country boy), whereas Hulga thought she was the one seducing him. She considers everyone inferior to her and reminds them of their lower class e.g. He also flatters Hulgas sense of intellectual superiority to gain her interest. The arrival of nineteen-year-old Manley Pointer, Bible salesman and con artist, is presented in highly realistic terms by O'Connor. Although Pointer may seem an unlikely candidate for the role of grace-bringer, O'Connor, in commenting on the action of grace in her stories, has noted that "frequently it is an action in which the devil has been the unwilling instrument of grace.". Not only can they not see the Bible Salesman for what he is, but they pronounce him exactly the opposite: simple-minded, one of the good country people. Their condescension of him allows themselves to feel less simple, and the fact that they see him like this from a distance shows just how pervasive hypocrisy iseven someone who, from far away, seems like a stereotype of good country people, when examined more closely often reveals hidden sins and complexities. This is why she readily gives herself in the safety of Manley. Reality vs. Illusion/Desire, 1. On the contrary, he was the one who has entrapped her by admiring her for being a courageous girl due to her artificial leg. Hers is based on education, intelligence, and authenticity, howevernot class, wealth, or religious faith. Although the Hopewells consider him as a simple, unintelligent, and inferior person but still he manages to gain their attention and fool them, quite ironic. . For example, the name "Hopewell" (hope well) characterizes both the mother and her daughter. She wakes up early in the morning and is joined by Mrs. Freeman in the kitchen. He has no background and just comes in the story from nowhere, but he wins a firm place in Hulgas heart. Good Country People offers few glimpses of true, authentic faith. Her vulnerable soul can be determined first from the weakness of her heart, as she is not wise and experienced, and secondly, from her fake leg, as she has no strong standing in the world of reality. She hisses, "You're a fine Christian! Furthermore, she is quite haughty and grumpy and is not interested in any kind of happiness in life. He has also made her fall for him with his jokes and silly conversation. At that point he disappears with her leg after telling her that he collects prostheses from disabled people and is a nihilistic atheist. For example, Mrs. Hopewell sets her standards for good and bad people. "Flannery O'Connors Stories Good Country People Summary and Analysis". She reluctantly agrees to his demands because she does not want to lose what he is offering. However, she is dependent upon her mother due to her physical illness. Therefore, she lives in the illusion that she considers reality. For instance, she thinks of her daughter as a child which means that she keeps her under her command and does not let her live freely by herself. Since she has surrendered her leg (now functioning emblematically as her soul) to Pointer, Hulga feels "entirely dependent on him.". She remembers their conversation from the evening before, during which she lied to him and said she was only seventeen years old, and he told her he thought she was real sweet. They connected about the fact that they both might die soon from a heart condition, and he invites her on a picnic for the next day. Previous This description of Mrs. Freeman introduces, the idea that this story takes place in a world full of easy clichs and meaningless platitudes. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Good country people. but I guess the world would be better off if we were all that simple." In fact, Mrs. Hopewell would probably sum up her inability to understand her daughter-with-a-Ph.D. by saying, "She's brilliant, but she doesn't have a grain of sense." Carramae is Mrs. Freemans daughter who is fifteen years old. We know, of course, that Mrs. Freeman is no fool when it comes to manipulating. Chazelle, Damien ed. Their kiss Hulga's first is used by O'Connor to indicate that Hulga's plan may not go as smoothly as she imagines. Now, she sets off to meet him at the gate. The chasm between the two women is even further deepened by Mrs. Hopewell's attitude toward the Freeman girls as opposed to her attitude toward Hulga. Next is a group she identifies as good country people. These people are poorer than landowners like Mrs. Hopewell and her daughter Hulga, as well as less educated. She is an independent lady and a successful landowner in the Southern part of the US in the 1950s with farmers and tenants working for her. She sends Joy to school and makes her a knowledgeable person. The way the content is organized and presented is seamlessly smooth, innovative, and comprehensive." Get LitCharts A + The daughter of Mrs. Hopewell, Hulga is intelligent, intellectual, and cynical. She feeds into Mrs. Hopewells own ego by agreeing with whatever her employer says, while also building up her own self-image as someone both polite and wise. Physically defeated, Hulga attempts to use her intellect to shame Pointer into returning the leg. Why? He does not want a church marriage like Lyman but prefers an ordinary one. Limited by a weak read analysis of Hulga Hopewell (Joy) Instead, he opens his valise to reveal that there are only two Bibles inside, and that they are fake; they open to reveal a flask of whiskey, a pack of cards, and some medicine in a small blue box. Both women are individuals who simplistically believe that what is wanted can be had although each of them is, in her own way, blind to the world as it really exists. In a moment of seemingly immense insight, Hulga lashed out at her mother, yelling, "We are not our own light!" CliffsNotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what you're studying, CliffsNotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. Hulga (like OConnor) sees through the hypocrisy of people like her mother, but she is able to offer little of her ownshe can only act against others, not for herself. Many writers portrayed it in their works. In his identity crisis, he wants to harm people to feel triumphant. As Hulga is a professor in philosophy, she considers herself unique and qualified and others as illiterate fools. He removes her glasses but she does not seem to notice. 1. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. . Then Manley packs up his things along with Joys wooden leg in his briefcase and throws it down. He had some conversation with Hulga about her religious beliefs but having atheistic thoughts, she negated his religiosity. However, her classification is based on the level of education which makes it difficult for her to cope with the reality of life. What is the resolution? She is also given the important task of opening and closing the text which gives her a crucial place in the story. O'Connor's selection of a well-known biblical parallel ("He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it," Matthew 10:39) clearly depicts Hulga's rational surrender to Pointer and firmly underlines the significance of her rational decision within the context of the story. read analysis of Class, Identity, and Superiority, read analysis of Appearances and Realities, read analysis of Authentic Faith and Vulnerability. She relied upon the wisdom of this world to guide her, contrary to the biblical warning to "See to it that no one deceives you by philosophy and vain deceit, according to human traditions, according to the elements of the world and not according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8). Moreover, through the use of third-person omniscient narrative, the author judges the standard for good qualities and good people, therefore, elevating the importance of the title Good Country People. Instant downloads of all 1725 LitChart PDFs Teachers and parents! He always does the same with other people also. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Manley has been waiting for her behind a bush across the street, and as they walk toward the woods, he immediately asks her about her wooden leg. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Then after supper, Mrs. Hopewell excuses him to make him end the meeting. At the bottom is a group of people she calls trash, whom she describes as poor, uncultured, and essentially criminal. and let's eat.". Identity PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. There they talk about some important matters every day. Although Mrs. Freeman has her own family, however, she makes sure to be at Hopewells place in mealtimes and observe them having their meals. What makes the title "Good Country People" ironic? Joyce, Meghan. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. She is a loving mother and tolerates her daughters disdain and irritation in every possible way. For instance, OConnors interpretation is hugely interwoven with a meaningful expression of different aspects of life. She decided that for the first time in her life she was face to face with real innocence. As she believes in his goodness, she negates her thoughts on life. Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman are in the back pasture and as they watch him leave, Mrs. Freeman comments that she could never be as simple as he is. Although Mrs. Freeman (free man) is given a clearer view of the realities of the world (she does not, for example, accept either Hulga or Manley Pointer at face value), she chooses to concentrate on the diseased and the grotesque aspects of life. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." This unique introduction sets the theme of her machine-like nature that shows Mrs. Freeman never surrenders to anyone and is a character that lives in the reality of the situation. To Hulga, there is no god and there is no afterlife; man is all. One of the main flaws in Good Country People is the hypocrisy of humans. I think thats whats wrong with it You dont see any more real honest people unless you go way out in the country. Of course, this judgment of Manley is incorrect, since he is a liar and swindler. In O'Connor's "Good Country People," why are the characters' names significant? It questions the idea of goodness, what are the standards for good qualities and why are some people considered good or bad. Explain each character's ways of manipulation in "Good Country People.". Their unexceptional kiss reinforces her belief that she is more sophisticated than ordinary people, and sees through everyday illusions like romance. He is familiar with all the slick tricks used by the typical door-to-door salesman, and he also has a second sense which enables him to take advantage of Mrs. Hopewell even though she is not interested in entertaining a salesman of any description. He did not succeed in altering his religious thoughts but successfully managed to get some time with her. She calls them "Glycerin" and "Caramel" (oily and sticky sweet). Briefly explain its connection to European history from 1500 to 1800. Moreover, being extremely educated, Hulga cannot see the vice in Manleys behavior. The story begins with a description of Mrs. Freeman, specifically concerning her interactions with Mrs. Hopewell. Southern Gothic. It is notable that Mrs. Hopewell values the normal above all else, and sees her own daughter as somehow abnormal because of her leg. She misjudges Manley Pointer for his goodness who turns out to be a fraud person. O'Connor is showing us here that Hulga, with her Ph.D. degree in philosophy, has until now professed absolute atheism. Hulga is in constant contact with a vain but simple-minded mother and an apparently simple-minded but shrewd hired woman. Also, we can trace the year of happening from Harvey Hills car who is the suitor of Glynese. Sometimes, Hulga, Mrs. Freeman, and Mrs. Hopewell have really tough discussions on different topics. . if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'litpriest_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',101,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-litpriest_com-medrectangle-3-0');The classic short story Good Country People is written by the American writer Flannery OConnor. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Why did Flannery O'Connor choose an onion as the closing image in the story "Good Country People"? O'Connor's account of Hulga's reaction is worth examining in detail since it stresses the fact that Hulga's decision to surrender the leg is essentially an intellectual one: She sat staring at him. Finally, Hulga imagines that she takes away all of Pointer's shame and turns it into "something useful. In this short story, Connor ironically depicts the contradictory natures of the characters of the discussed Southern society. She believes that she has tricked the Bible Salesman by lying about her age and education, and still doesnt realize that she is being tricked as well. Why do you think Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Hopewell are introduced before Hulga? Mrs. Hopewell treats her like a small child because she thinks that Joy has seen enough illnesses in her life. However, her mother still calls her Joy out of her love for her daughter and considers her as a child. Most of the story is set in Mrs. Hopewells kitchen. For instance, he develops empathy with Hulga and traps her the way she is willing to get stuck. . Similar is the case with Mrs. Freeman who considers existence as pretensions and disturbing others in their comfort zones. In the story, the main characters exhibit such features explicitly. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. However, before running away, he tells Hulga that Manley is a big believer in nothingness, even more than Hulga and she is tricked. He has also taken other peoples important things as his commodity. He said that he was not a good match for an intellectual like her. She also keeps Mrs. Freeman busy in her conversation to avoid her mothers investigation. In her mind she is morally superior to others, but if she is willing to lie about the Bible without a second thought, then she has no real claim to any moral high ground. In addition to Hulga's wearing inappropriate clothes, her name change (from "Joy" to "Hulga") cut such a wound into Mrs. Hopewell that she will never entirely heal. Joy/Hulga is defiant and that ends up leaving her worse off because she goes with Manly Pointer and he leaves her. Just like the hollow Bible, Manleys religious beliefs are also hollow and fake. Hulga is alone and misses her artificial leg. These crucial discussions include the weather and Mrs. Freemans daughters. In this respect, OConnor represents a miniature of the everyday social life. He is studying to become a chiropractor and appears an interesting character if he is given the chance to play more. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. Also like Hulga, OConnor was well educated and brilliant, but living in a relatively uneducated Southern environment. Many writers portrayed it in their works. He has declared that at the most she may live up to forty-five years of age. Hulga was not interested in him but was impressed by his simplicity and assured him that she likes good country people with simple nature. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. For her, her own identity remains fixed i.e. Ironically, she is dumped by one of those low minded people in the surrounding. Hulga, who generally takes such a rational-minded view of the world, is touchy at any mention of her artificial leg. Since this is the case, it is not surprising that Pointer's comment that it is her leg which "makes her different" produces the total collapse of Hulga's plan. She is popular among boys and is proposed to by a man Harvey Hill but there is no information about her acceptance. She is described as having three facial expressions: neutral, forward, and reverse. and we perceive that there is a wooden part of her soul that corresponds to her wooden leg." Hulgas heart condition and artificial leg have dominated her life: instead of travelling the world and learning, she is trapped at homeand yet she seems to wallow in her misery, rather than trying to do anything to change her situation. Summary and Analysis "Good Country People" Hulga Hopewell of "Good Country People" is a unique character in O'Connor's fictional world. What are the character traits of Joy-Hulga in "Good Country People"? According to Mrs. Hopewell, she is one of good country people. . -Graham S. Mrs. Freeman agrees with Mrs. Hopewells assessment of her employees helpfulness without a hint of humility. His personality resembles that of the hollow Bible because his exterior is so simple and pure but there is nothing inside. Mrs. Freemans interest in Hulgas disability seems to bother Hulga, indicating that her artificial leg is the key to her vulnerability. For example, Hulga is an intellectual character and the story ridicules her for her false admiration by the people around her because of her knowledge.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'litpriest_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',102,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-litpriest_com-medrectangle-4-0'); OConnors depiction of characters and actions is so complex and multifold that it becomes hard to follow their contradictory natures. For instance, both Mrs. Freeman and Manley Pointer are seen as "good country people" by Mrs. Hopewell; both have a morbid interest in Hulga's wooden leg; both of them allow their "victims" to form an erroneous view of "good country people"; and finally, both Pointer and Mrs. Freeman are described as having steely eyes capable of penetrating Hulga's facade. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. What does this say about Hulga's philosophy? He masks his identity to gain his means from other people through foolery. Manley Pointer is a Bible salesman who seduces the extremely knowledgeable and unsocial Hulga Hopewell. Listall the archetypes in the short story "Good Country People" by Flannery O'Connor. When he finally left, Hulga was standing in the road and he stopped near her to talk. She also calls Hulga by her proper name when her mother is out of sight. Moreover, the way characters present themselves in Good Country People is often the very opposite of how they are. The Grandmother want to visit friends in Tennessee. Undesirable personality Joy nicknames her Glycerin that predicts the lightness of her and her sisters character. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. Mrs. Hopewell thinks of him as such a simple and pure man who might be selling Bibles to the black lot where he is heading. On the contrary, Mrs. Freeman is depicted as a fairly shrewd woman who is capable of "using" Mrs. Hopewell's blindness to reality, just as Manley Pointer will later "use" Hulga's blindness to reality for his own selfish advantage. However, Manleys personality is revealed at the end when he takes away Hulgas most important part (her leg) just like tricking her dear feelings. Their father, Mr. Freeman is a good person and does not interfere in others affairs. But Mrs. Hopewells bland, uncritical attitude, reflected by saying That is life, suggests that she is not as mature and sophisticated as she believes. Another aspect of Hulgas personality is her disbelief in God. They have to tolerate the unpleasant presence of each other daily because of their duties in everyday life. O'Connor, however, does not depict Mrs. Freeman as an example of "good country people.". In "Good Country People," O'Connor uses irony and a finely controlled comic sense to reveal the modern world as it iswithout vision or knowledge. He disguises himself as a good country person and an agreeable man for the educated Hulga. He does not care about anyone else. 2. Develop an analogy, an extended comparison of two things that have certain similarities, to explain your personal view of one of the following concepts: heaven, love, home, loss, marriage, wealth. The final irony in the story involves Mrs. Freeman's response: "Some can't be that simple. He then demands her to profess her love to him. Mrs. Hopewell likes to praise Glynese and Carramae by telling people that they are "two of the finest girls" she knows, and she also praises their mother, Mrs. Freeman, as a lady whom "she was never ashamed to take . Gothic tales really bring the creep factor, sometimes featuring characters imprisoned in small, enclosed, remote spacesyou know, like the barn loft where the climax of the story takes place. She has been working for Mrs. Hopewell for four years, and the two women often converse over breakfast in the Hopewells kitchen. Hulga never considers that she might be the nave one. Oh, Manley Pointer. Removing #book# They lie down and kiss in the loft, and after a while Manley demands that she tell him she loves him. Hulga's leg Also, she is always busy in some work; therefore, Mrs. Hopewell gives her the charge of her household. At the bottom is a group of people she calls "trash," whom she describes as poor, uncultured, and essentially criminal. They also talk about different subjects like damnation, nothingness, God and so on. . money, food, useless accessories, etc. At the instant, she demands him to attach the artificial leg back to her leg and tries to reach it but he pushes it away. He pretends to be entering her house accidentally but after meeting Hulga, he seduces her within no time. This is the symbol of her irrational thoughts and her crippled soul. Read below our complete notes on the poem Good Country People by Flannery OConnor. Although Hulga tries to continue her "indoctrination" of the youth by explaining that she is "one of those people who have seen through to nothing," Pointer ignores her comments and continues to woo her, kissing her passionately and insisting that she tell him that she loves him. Throughout the story, many identities are shown but by the end of the story the real identities of the characters are revealed. Sometimes, there is enough wordiness in his dialogues. O'Connor uses the final paragraphs of the story to make clear the parallel which she established earlier between Hulga and her mother. She is married to Lyman and is pregnant. On his way down, he calls to her that she is not so much smarter than him; he doesnt believe in God, either. Similarly, Hulga and Mrs. Hopewell think of Manley Pointer as a simple and good man who cannot harm Hulga in any way. No one ever touches it but her. As the story is structured in the Southern part of the state, some factors depict the south gothic nature of the short story. For example, Manley Pointer is manly as he is a sinful human being who is selfish for his means. He says that his disbelief in any religion is bigger than her disapproval of religious institutions and runs away. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1725 titles we cover. She is a grumpy person who does not care for what others say or they are. However, she is advised by the doctor to stay in the care of her mother. Whereas she moves through everyday life protecting herself with arrogance and intellectual superiority, here she makes herself completely vulnerableand in that moment of vulnerability, she accesses a more spiritual state of being, something which Flannery OConnor might call grace. This is the one true act of authentic faith in the story, and even OConnors language in describing it echoes that of the Bible: Jesus says, whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.. How does the grandmother talk Bailey into going to the plantation? Asking to be excused for a moment, Mrs. Hopewell goes into the kitchen to check on dinner, where she is met by Hulga, who suggests that her mother "get rid of the salt of the earth . The Question and Answer section for Flannery O'Connors Stories is a great Her mother also connects her education to her lack of faith in God, since she has read a passage suggesting this in one of Hulgas science books. The pink weeds and "speckled pink hillsides" (pink being the color symbolic of sensuality and the emotions) serve to emphasize how Hulga is slowly losing control of the situation.

2002 Vanderbilt Football Roster, Blooket Token Generator, Articles G