The Misfit and the Grandmother in Flannery O’ Connor's "A Good Man is Hard to Find"

As I read Flannery O’Connor’s short story “A Good Man is Hard to Find”, I find myself being completely consumed by the rich tale that the author weaves; a tragic and ironic tale that concisely and precisely utilizes irony and foreshadowing with expert skill. As the story progresses, it is readily apparent that the story will end in a tragic and predictable state due to the devices which O’Connor expertly employs and thusly, I find that I cannot stop reading it; the plot grows thicker with every sentence and by doing so, the characters within the story are infinitely real in my mind’s eye. As I consider these factors, the story focuses on two main characters; that of the grandmother, who comes across as self-centered and self-serving and

     In the short story, 'A Good Man is Hard to Find', the main character is the grandmother. Flannery O'Connor, the author, lets the reader find out who the grandmother is by her conversations and reactions to the other characters in the story. The grandmother is the most important character in the story because she has a main role in the stories principal action. This little old lady is the protagonist in this piece. We learn more about her from her direct conversation with the son, Bailey, her grandchildren, June Star and John Wesley, and the Misfit killer. Through these conversations, we know that she is a lady raised from a traditional background. In the story, her attitude changes

I feel that the Grandmother in the story 'A Good Man is Hard to Find' suffers from psychological conditions. She does not care at all about anyone but herself. I feel that she may even be narcissistic. It is ironic because she would be expected to look out for her family. The Cambridge Dictionary defines narcissism as 'too much interest in and admiration for your own physical appearance and/or your own abilities' It is ironic because she would be expected to look out for her family, however in reality she only really looks out for herself. She shows how self centered she really is many times throughout the story. She displays a complete lack of regard for what anyone else

“A Good Man Is Hard to Find” is an amusing story. The language is easy to read and it is straightforward. There are some parts that are relatable. For example, Bailey’s mother never listening to him. Many mothers do this, granted most don’t cause their entire family to be murdered, but the overall concept is a common theme with moms. The grandmother finds something to dislike in nearly everything that happens. This also is relatable because most women can find some type of problem in anything they do. Another reoccurring aspect in the story is the concept of being a lady. The grandmother believes that is what she is, even though it is clear she isn’t. The moral of this short story is summed up to not let your mother control your actions.

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).

In Flannery O’ Connor’s “A Good Man is Hard to Find” she begins her short story with expressing how the grandmother did not want to go to Florida, but instead visit Tennessee. The grandmother tries to make a convincing case to her son Bailey by informing him about a criminal named the “Misfit” that is on the loose and headed to Florida, but no one seems to take her very seriously. The next morning the family piles in the car and heads off to Florida. While on their way to Florida the family stops and eats at a restaurant that is owned by a man named “Red Sammy”. While at the restaurant the grandmother talks to Red Sammy and his wife about how hard it is to trust people and find “good men” nowadays. After the family gets back on the road, the

In the short story “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor, a family decides to take a drive to Georgia. The family consists of the grandmother, her son Bailey, three young children which includes a newborn, and the kids mother. On this journey they discover hidden truths about themselves. “What is a good man?” is an occurring question in the story. The characters take morals seriously, which blinds to them to oblivion of their real truths. The “morals” the family holds themselves to are very hypocritical. We find the real truths as the family is heading towards their demise.

[She] couldn’t answer to [her] conscience if [she] did” (129). From the latter is drawn that she sees the Misfit situation as a battle against the Devil, and then it is unthinkable to get even close to the

Many people today do not believe in God, asking for proofs for his existence. Flannery O'Connor, raised in a very religious family, writes a short story "A good man is hard to find" to show readers that faith is very important and should be a part of everyone's life. To substantiate her belief, she confronts two characters with different views on religion - the grandmother, a woman who finds hope and salvation in faith, and The Misfit, an unbeliever and truly evil man. The plot of the story begins when the family has an accident and meets an escaped murderer, whom grandmother recognizes as The Misfit. She starts a conversation with him trying to convince him to spare their lives because he is "a good man at heart" (10), from a good family.

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.

“A Good Man is Hard to Find” is a well-known short story written by Flannery O’Connor. O’Connor was born in Georgia, which is also the setting for her story “A Good Man is Hard to Find”. It has been widely anthologized in English textbooks because of its riveting storyline and gothic elements. In this story, the grandmother can be considered a protagonist, but is also a manipulator. She makes her family out to be terrible people in order to make herself look better. The family is supposed to be going on a trip to Florida, but for some reason the grandmother does not want to head that way because of a murderer on the loose called The Misfit. She is afraid her family will run into the Misfit and she ends up being correct because her family does end up crossing paths with the Misfit, and he does end up killing every member of the family, including herself. The grandmother does not even beg for the Misfit to spare the lives of her grandchildren or son and daughter-in-law, she only begs for him to spare her own life. The grandmother begins praying to God, only when her life is on the line, thus making her religious faith an empty one. The grandmother seems like the last person to receive grace because she is manipulative and a liar, but she is still saved. At the end of the story, the grandmother reaches her salvation and is resurrected at the hands of the Misfit.

“A Good Man is Hard to Find” is about a family that is taking a trip to Florida for vacation, while an escape convict is on the loose. He is also heading to Florida. The family is riding down a dirt road because the Grandmother supposedly remembers it. The car flips over into a ditch and three men show up to help the family. Only, the men are criminals and the Grandmother says, “I recognized you at once!” (O’Conner 426) This criminal’s name is “The Misfit” because “[he] can’t make what all [he] done wrong fit what all [he] gone through in punishment” (O’Conner 429).

The story “A Good Man is Hard to Find” is about a family who goes on a vacation but finds there tragic deaths at the hands

In “Mystery and Manners” by Flannery O’Connor, she goes into depth about “A Good Man is Hard to Find”. Since O’Connor comes from a religious background, she has the points of view of a Christian, in

“A Good Man Is Hard To Find” is a short story written by Flannary O’Connor talking about a family vacation that has gone wrong. Family is an interesting topic when reading this story. The children, John Wesley and June Star, are spoiled children who have no respect to anyone. The father has a temper. The grandmother is a very judgmental person. Each family member plays a role of the outcome of the family trip.