A Good Man is Hard to Find Analysis

Flannery O'Connor, a renowned writer, has always been a prominent figure in American literature. Similar to her colleague Nadine Gordimer, she delved into moral issues within her peculiar stories. Her short story A Good Man Is Hard to Find serves as a solid foundation for literary analysis. Flannery O'Connor's A Good Man Is Hard to Find analysis will provide you with a deeper understanding of the story.

A Good Man Is Hard to Find emerged in 1955 and remains a widely discussed narrative to this day. Flannery O'Connor encapsulated the most thought-provoking issues of her time within this short piece. Although society has evolved since then, people still grapple with the problems highlighted by O'Connor. This analysis will delve into two key themes of the story: selfishness and individualism.

A Good Man Is Hard to Find: Summary

A Good Man Is Hard to Find portrays a tragic tale of a family. A grandmother, father, mother, and three children set out on a trip to Florida. Initially appearing as good country folk, the family harbors various flaws. The older children, John Wesley and June Star, exhibit rude and ignorant behavior. The mother dedicates herself to her children, neglecting her own fulfillment. The father appears annoyed by his offspring. Lastly, the grandmother prioritizes her own needs, neglecting her family.

Despite hearing rumors about an escaped prisoner, The Misfit, the family proceeds with their journey. During the trip to Florida, the grandmother suddenly recalls an old plantation she once visited and admired. Persuading her son, Bailey, to deviate from the route and visit the plantation, the grandmother loses control as her cat causes a car accident. Although everyone survives the crash, their troubles escalate when they hope for assistance from passersby.

A car appears on the road, containing three men, one of whom the grandmother recognizes as The Misfit. In a desperate attempt to save her life, the grandmother tries to convince the criminal that he is a good man, urging him to pray and draw closer to Jesus. However, her efforts are in vain as The Misfit proceeds to command the killing of the entire family, culminating in him personally killing the grandmother.

A Good Man Is Hard to Find: Literary Analysis

Selfishness and individualism stand out as the fundamental themes within the story A Good Man Is Hard to Find. The grandmother's selfish actions, which prioritize her own interests over her family, lead to the tragic outcome. Through the character of the grandmother, the author illustrates how the pursuit of personal desires impacts society.

Selfishness permeates the grandmother's character, evident in her actions, interactions with her family, and even her attire. Obsessed with her appearance, the grandmother dresses elegantly and adorns fancy hats, hoping to maintain a ladylike image even in the event of an accident. Neglecting her grandchildren and daughter-in-law, the grandmother devotes all her time to herself, meticulously selecting her attire.

Furthermore, the grandmother displays manipulative tendencies, using her influence to serve her interests. For instance, she disregards Bailey's prohibition against bringing her cat along on the trip, asserting that the cat would miss her. This decision leads to the car accident. Additionally, the grandmother manipulates her family into visiting an old plantation she once saw, fabricating stories to entice them. Her selfish motives create perilous situations for her family, culminating in the encounter with The Misfit.

In addition to selfishness, the grandmother exhibits individualistic traits, as does The Misfit. Both characters prioritize their needs over others, disregarding the consequences of their actions. Despite possessing a semblance of humanity, both characters succumb to their individualistic nature, posing a threat to society.

In conclusion, the analysis of A Good Man Is Hard to Find sheds light on the striking parallels between the grandmother and The Misfit. Both characters embody selfish and manipulative tendencies, ultimately leading to tragic outcomes. Flannery O'Connor's concerns regarding selfishness and individualism are poignantly portrayed in the story, underscoring the urgency of addressing these issues.

References

• Gresham, Stephen. "Things Darkly Buried: In Praise of A Good Man Is Hard to Find." Shenandoah, 1-2 (2010): 17-18. Web.
• Hooten, Jessica. "Individualism in O'Connor's A Good Man is Hard to Find." The Explicator, 4 (2008): 197-198. Web.
• Kinney, Arthur F. "A Good Man Is Hard to Find: Overview." Reference Guide to Short Fiction (1994): 1-2. Print.
• O'Connor, Flannery. A Good Man is Hard to Find. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing: Custom Edition. X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2011. 1-12. Print.

By revisiting this unique analysis, you can gain fresh insights into Flannery O'Connor's A Good Man Is Hard to Find and craft a compelling essay that showcases your individual perspective.