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The Good Country People Literary Analysis

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“The Good Country People”: An Ironic Title Flannery O’Connor’s short story "The Good Country People” develops the theme that some people who profess to be christians are actually hypocrites. This short story, published in 1955, tells the story of a unique female character named Hulga Hopewell. The story is separated into four distinct sections to help emphasize the relationship of the characters. Also, the story employs literary devices such as symbolism, imagery, and allegory. However, certain critics contend that O 'Connor might have an intently parodied herself in the person of Joy/Hulga. O 'Connor was killed early on by the disease lupus, while Hulga, maimed in a hunting accident, has a "weak heart" and "might see forty-five" …show more content…

For instance, there is the incident in the loft when ironically Pointer takes her glasses off and as they are kissing Hulga believes that she, “... had seduced him without even making up her mind to try.”(O’Connor 14). She believes this even though it is obvious to the reader that the opposite is true. Due to this Edmonson states, “The scene in the loft between Hulga and Pointer is significant for many reasons, one of which is that it highlights to the reader Hulga’s vulnerabilities”(3). When Pointer is putting her leg back on, she (Filled with hope and lust) imagines him doing it every morning for her. For the first time has allowed herself to be vulnerable. What is interesting at this point is that the reader realises that O’Connor is using the symbolism of Hulga’s artificial leg to highlight her spiritual weakness. Also, when Pointer opens his valise and the reader finds that he has a hollow bible with a flask of whisky, some contraceptives, and obscene playing cards inside it the reader becomes aware that it mirrors Pointer’s religious hypocrisy (and depravity) . A point further highlights when he abandons Hulga in the loft and tells her, “I been believing in nothing ever since I was born”(O’Connor 16). Again, O’Connor highlighting the idea of nihilism. In the end, the story basically explains how people are not always “Good Country

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