A Good Man is Hard to Find: Quotes

“You can do one thing or you can do another, kill a man or take a tire off his car, because sooner or later you're going to forget what it was you done and just be punished for it.”

The quote is a reflection on the theme of morality and consequence. The Misfit, the speaker of the quote, suggests that the choices we make have a lasting impact on our lives, regardless of whether we remember them or not. The quote highlights the idea that one's actions cannot be undone, and that punishment is inevitable. It also suggests that the distinction between right and wrong is not always clear, and that sometimes one must make difficult choices.

This quote captures the philosophy of the Misfit, who believes that life has no purpose and that morality is subjective. He suggests that people are not inherently good or evil, but are rather products of their experiences and circumstances. The quote also emphasizes the idea that the consequences of one's actions are inescapable and cannot be avoided, regardless of whether one remembers what they have done or not.

“The trouble with the world was that nobody stopped or took any care.”

This quote highlights the theme of moral decay in society. The Grandmother makes this observation after reading about a town she once visited in the newspaper, which had been completely overtaken by criminal activity. The quote reflects her belief that people have stopped caring about their actions and their impact on others, leading to a breakdown in society.

The Grandmother's statement suggests that people have become apathetic and detached from their moral obligations. Instead of taking responsibility for their actions, they simply move on without any sense of guilt or remorse. The quote implies that this lack of care and accountability is responsible for the many problems facing society, including violence and crime.

In this sense, the quote can be seen as a critique of modern society and its tendency to prioritize individualism and personal gain over the common good. The Grandmother's words suggest that a lack of concern for others has dire consequences, and that it is up to individuals to take responsibility for their actions and work towards a more just and caring world.

“She had never given much thought to the devil for she felt that religion was essentially for those people who didn’t have the brains to avoid evil without it.”

This quote highlights the character of the grandmother and her views on religion. The grandmother sees religion as something that is only needed by people who lack intelligence and cannot avoid evil on their own. This statement shows that the grandmother believes that she is smarter and more capable than others who rely on religion for guidance.

However, the grandmother's belief is proven to be false in the story as she fails to recognize the evil in the Misfit, leading to the tragic ending of the story. The quote also speaks to the theme of faith and morality in the story. It suggests that the grandmother has a flawed sense of morality, which stems from her misplaced belief in her own intelligence. This idea is further explored throughout the story, as the characters struggle with their own sense of right and wrong, and the consequences that result from their actions.

“He had a look of composed dissatisfaction, as if he understood life thoroughly.”

The quote  is describing the Misfit, the main antagonist of the story, and his demeanor as he interacts with the family. The phrase suggests that the Misfit has reached a point of understanding about the nature of life that is different from the other characters in the story. It suggests that he has accepted the harsh reality of the world and is dissatisfied with it.

This quote not only sets up the Misfit as a character who is aware of life's complexities, but it also serves as a commentary on the human condition. The phrase suggests that life is full of dissatisfaction and difficulties and that true understanding requires acceptance of this fact. It also hints that the Misfit's actions may be the result of his disillusionment with life, which could be why he acts so recklessly and without remorse.

“She would've been a good woman," said The Misfit, "if it had been somebody there to shoot her every minute of her life.”

This quote is spoken by The Misfit after he has killed the grandmother, and it reveals his cynical and nihilistic view of the world. In this statement, The Misfit suggests that the grandmother's true character was only revealed in the face of imminent death, and that she would have been a good person if she had lived every moment as if she was being threatened with violence.

The quote also highlights The Misfit's belief that people are inherently flawed and incapable of true goodness. To him, the grandmother's moments of kindness or compassion are merely superficial, and do not reflect her true character. He believes that the only way to truly know a person's character is to observe how they act in life-or-death situations.

Furthermore, the quote speaks to the idea that fear and violence can have a transformative effect on people. The grandmother, who had been a selfish and manipulative woman throughout the story, displays genuine compassion and empathy in her final moments. This suggests that extreme circumstances can bring out the best in people, even if it is too late to make a real difference.

“I guess a good man IS hard to find!”

This is the final line of the story and it reflects the grandmother’s ultimate realization about the world and her own shortcomings. The grandmother has spent the entire story looking down on other people and trying to assert her own superiority, but in the end, she is humbled by the Misfit and forced to confront her own mortality.

The quote can be seen as a commentary on the human condition and the difficulties of living a moral life. It suggests that there are few people who can truly be considered “good,” and that even those who try to do the right thing can be undone by circumstances beyond their control. The grandmother herself is an example of this, as she is ultimately unable to save herself or her family from the Misfit.