Joy looks helplessly at him going away and is quite upset. 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. She has named her daughter Joy because she is her only happiness in the world. Hulgas view of the world and the people is completely different from what Manley makes of her. This misperception leads them to assume that the world is much simpler than it actually is. He also flatters Hulgas sense of intellectual superiority to gain her interest. Manley Pointer also hides his identity from the people because he does not consider others trustworthy. These crucial discussions include the weather and Mrs. Freemans daughters. She is self-willed and grumpy. She also imagines that she takes his remorse and changes it into a deeper understanding of life. Throughout the story, many identities are shown but by the end of the story the real identities of the characters are revealed. Hulga's mother naively believes in the absolute goodness of "good country people"; she believes that if a person can hire good country people, "you had better hang onto them." Hers is based on education, intelligence, and authenticity, howevernot class, wealth, or religious faith. but I guess the world would be better off if we were all that simple." . However, Hulga is irritated by the platitudes of the other ladies. China in 1989 Gather information from resources such as history books and print out on-line encyclopedias. Mrs. Hopewell's daughter, Joy, is thirty-two years old and lost her leg in a childhood shooting accident. She used to be insecure about her wooden leg, but now she reveres it as her defining quality, besides her education. On the contrary, he was the one who has entrapped her by admiring her for being a courageous girl due to her artificial leg. Manley then takes her leg away and opens up his Bible that is hollow inside consisting of playing cards, whiskey, and condoms. For example, Mrs. Hopewell is always hopeful about life. Who do Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman think Manley is selling bibles to at the end of the story? 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. Its suggested that something romantic passed between Hulga and the Bible Salesman outside, and Hulga wants to avoid her mothers nosy questions about it. She is also given the important task of opening and closing the text which gives her a crucial place in the story. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. 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. Hulga is completely unprepared for any kind of romantic date, and immediately assumes the worstthat the Bible Salesman wont show up. Because Hulga's glasses interfere with their kissing, Pointer removes them and puts them in his pocket. For instance, he develops empathy with Hulga and traps her the way she is willing to get stuck. I been believing in nothing ever since I was born. Manly Pointer Manley is a traveling Bible salesman, which sounds great until we're told that he's "from out in the country around Willohobie, not even from a . His former record in farming is good and is approved by his last owner. bookmarked pages associated with this title. (including. Even the names she chooses for each character help her to establish their significance in the story. Also, his motivation to get others essentials that have no use for him reveals his superficial useless nature.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'litpriest_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-litpriest_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); The story Good Country People expresses Connors religious argument about how Christianity is abused by many good Christians. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. OConnor also depicts a class conflict in her story Good Country People. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. . He has also taken other peoples important things as his commodity. . When after a minute, she said in a hoarse high voice, "All right," it was like surrendering to him completely. When he tells her that he is just a simple country boy, she answers, Why! Whenever the writer uses good for the people, she is judgmental about their realities and means the opposite of it. O'Connor, however, does not depict Mrs. Freeman as an example of "good country people.". What characteristics of grotesque are used in "Good Country People"? After dinner, Manley overstayed his welcome telling Mrs. Hopewell about his poor family for two hours. But despite her class, she works hard like Mrs. Freeman. Hulga is the protagonist of the story Good Country People. Instead, during their interactions, she tries to maintain control of her mind. century, class conflict was one of the major issues of English society. Similar is the case with the characters of Good Country People. Manley Pointer plays his role by removing Hulga's leg and setting it out of her reach. 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. 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. Hulga, on the other hand, is outraged by this endless self-justification and agreement. Hulga is in constant contact with a vain but simple-minded mother and an apparently simple-minded but shrewd hired woman. 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. Then after supper, Mrs. Hopewell excuses him to make him end the meeting. Mrs Hopewell divorced her husband long ago and she needed someone to walk with her on the field. This scene also echoes OConnors lifeits rumored that she only ever kissed one person one time (a textbook salesman), who described it like kissing a skeleton., Hulga still sees herself as the savvy one and thinks the Bible Salesman is nave. The easygoing chatter between Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman contrasts with Hulgas sense of seriousness about life. He breaks down Joys self-protection and makes her accept his nature and yearn for his love. For instance, she spends most of her time reading and goes for a walk occasionally. The name Pointer (manly), not his real name, functions as a semi-obscene pun on one level, and it comes to point out, on another level, the depths to which humanity might descend if it follows only its "manly" nature. He told her that he was just a poor country boy and that he had a heart condition that might kill him soon. How is "Good Country People"related to Marxist criticism? Similarly, Hulga and Mrs. Hopewell think of Manley Pointer as a simple and good man who cannot harm Hulga in any way. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. For instance, Hulga is irritant and moody due to the lack of care and love of a man. Her name determines her character as the one who hopes that life will be spent easily if she lives by her principles. From Hulga's point of view, the surrender of her leg was an intellectual decision; consequently, the destruction of her faith in the power of her own intellect can come only through betrayal by the one whom she rationally decided to believe in, to have faith in. One of the main characters; well educated; very pessimistic and close-minded; is tricked by Manly Pointer and loses her artificial leg because of him, Joy/Hulga's mother; very optimistic and oblivious; believes everyone is good and honest, Mrs. Hopewell's tenant farmer; talks a lot and is nosy; she always has to be right and , ironically is, in the end of the story; always wants to make her and her family look good, "Bible salesman" how tricks everyone into thinking he is honest and kind, steals Joy/Hulga's artificial leg and leaves her in the barn by herself; uses others for his own benefit and religion as a crutch to make himself look good, Red-head, 18 years old, good looking, "has many admirers", goes on lots of dates, Blonde, 15 years old, married, is pregnant, frail, sickly(?) had been of that kind," she says. She takes care of it as someone else might take care of his soul. But this characterization is important, since Mrs. Hopewell believes the Freemans to be good country people. Later, she decides that Manley must also come from good country people, which turns out to be a gross misconception. He has declared that at the most she may live up to forty-five years of age. Good country people are the salt of the earth!. She is a believer in nothingness. He removes her glasses but she does not seem to notice. Joy is thirty-two and is quite arrogant and self-willed. To sum up, there is a misrepresentation of the title in the story that depicts its ironic nature. The hollow Bible presents the hollow and deceptive nature of Manley Pointer. I know I never could.". Mrs. Hopewell had told Hulga, in simple, "good country" terms, that a smile on her face would improve matters ("a smile never hurt anything"). Her forward. What is the significance of the title "Good Country People"? 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. They have to tolerate the unpleasant presence of each other daily because of their duties in everyday life. Like everyone in Good Country People, she sees people in a clear hierarchy, with herself at the top. The other characters are mainly presented through the eye of their minds. What does "We are not our own light" mean? She is also a single mother and supposedly paid for her daughters education throughout her educational career. Joy develops superiority over the only two women in her life Mrs. Freeman and her mother and it leaves her vulnerable to the dodges of the people outside. The Bible Salesman seems able to read Mrs. Hopewells hypocrisy right away, and plays into her clichd idea of good country people, using a (possibly invented) farm-country heritage to indicate that he is good-natured, simply, and sincere. 4. Likewise, Joys encounter with Manley Pointer is another instance of appearance and reality distinction. In this short story, Connor ironically depicts the contradictory natures of the characters of the discussed Southern society. However, she faces injury at a tender age that does not let her lead a happy life. At the same time, she considers herself above the surrounding people. When Mrs. Hopewell reads one of her daughters science books, the words worked on Mrs. Hopewell like some evil incantation in gibberish. She tells Manley that she doesnt believe in God. However, her mother calls her senseless and impractical. In both cases, Mrs. Hopewell creates her reality and lives in her standards ignoring the reality of life. Glasses. Mrs. Hopewell had no bad qualities of her own but she was able to use other people's in such a constructive way . Moreover, Manleys revealing of the hollow Bible is the main symbol of appearance versus reality. She also keeps Mrs. Freeman busy in her conversation to avoid her mothers investigation. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1725 titles we cover. Hulga is an atheist who refuses to allow her mother to keep a Bible in the family parlor. Mrs. Hopewell tells Manley, I think there arent enough good country people in the world! What are the character traits of Joy-Hulga in "Good Country People"? Likewise, the experienced and independent Mrs. Hopewell is blind to see the antagonism of Mrs. Freeman for herself. He calls Joy as a stupid and a fool girl who is seduced by a smart person like him. Her disdain for the others sickly-sweet demeanor is reflected in her choice of nicknames for Mrs. Freemans daughters. 2. Her major flaw is her blindness towards the reality of people. Previous . Mrs. Freemans good nature comes out by her attitude towards Hulga. She is forced to live in the countryside with her mother due to her fragile condition but she is arrogant to the people around her and does not consider them worthy of her interaction. . Does the story have any admirable characters or heroes in the conventional sense? Hulga stomps off to her bedroom. Nor does she love to enjoy nature. Since she has surrendered her leg (now functioning emblematically as her soul) to Pointer, Hulga feels "entirely dependent on him.". Similar is the case with Mrs. Freeman who considers existence as pretensions and disturbing others in their comfort zones. 3. She considers everyone inferior to her and reminds them of their lower class e.g. The second and most significant setting is the barn where the climax of Hulgas life occurs. What religious values are in "Good Country People" by Flannery O'Connor? Reality vs. Illusion/Desire, 1. They continue to kiss, and without her leg she feels entirely dependent on Manley. To change one's name from "Joy" to "Hulga," according to Mrs. Hopewell, was an act of ridiculously immature rebellion. (including. In this respect, OConnor represents a miniature of the everyday social life. In this short story, Connor ironically depicts the contradictory natures of the characters of the discussed Southern society. As is common in many of OConnors stories, eyes are an important symbol. This illusion is induced in her mind first by her mother and then by Manley Pointer. She is used to reading a lot and prefers to live in isolation. Test . Everything you need for every book you read. Good Country People Summary & Analysis Next Themes Themes and Colors Key Summary Analysis The story begins with a description of Mrs. Freeman, a woman working on a farm in rural Georgia. The title of the story, Good Country People, is meant to be read ironically. For example, Manley Pointer is manly as he is a sinful human being who is selfish for his means. Being in power, Hopewell has the authority to shape a person according to her point of view. He also asks her to show him the place where her wooden leg joins her body. Manley is surprised to see that Joy can climb the ladder in the barn. Joy suggests that they can be at ease in the barn. However, she is advised by the doctor to stay in the care of her mother. 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. She also changed her name from Joy to Hulga when she was in college at twenty-one. At the bottom is a group of people she calls "trash," whom she describes as poor, uncultured, and essentially criminal. Choose the correct pronoun from those shown in parentheses. Is O'Connor trying to make a point about formal education through the story "Good Country People"?
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