However, she does not intend to lose these good people, so she keeps calm. He has no background and just comes in the story from nowhere, but he wins a firm place in Hulgas heart. He arrived with a large valise, apparently lugging around Bibles to sell, and charmed Mrs. Hopewell with his simple-mindedness. Manley is surprised to see that Joy can climb the ladder in the barn. "Good Country People". Test . O'Connor's account of Hulga's reaction is worth examining in detail since it stresses the fact that Hulga's decision to surrender the leg is essentially an intellectual one: She sat staring at him. She also indulges in complex discussions with her mother, as Mrs. Hopewell prefers simplicity in dialogues. They are the opposite of how she views her own daughter, Hulga, who revels in her nihilism and uses her. What does "We are not our own light" mean? Hulga, on the other hand, is outraged by this endless self-justification and agreement. She does not want to go to Florida. Summary and Analysis "Good Country People" Hulga Hopewell of "Good Country People" is a unique character in O'Connor's fictional world. Who does O'Connor admire and satirize in "Good Country People"? To sum up, there is a misrepresentation of the title in the story that depicts its ironic nature. Now, however, we see that Hulga unconsciously wants to believe that there is a power greater than herself. but it ain't held me back none. Subconsciously, she deeply desires something to which she might surrender herself, as she later does to Pointer's advances. Her name Freeman employs her nature which is depicted as a lady who triumphantly owns herself. This confusion of her reality and her innocence makes her fall in the trap of the worldly people. In the last two stanzas of "Upon the Burning of Our House," Bradstreet compares heaven to a house. What does Mrs. Hopewell mean by the phrase "good country people"? - eNotes She thinks that she has turned him to think about deeper perspectives of the world and live a freer life. The situation worsens when Manley Pointer, a Bible salesman shows up at their place. One of the main flaws in Good Country People is the hypocrisy of humans. This shows the huge contrast between reality and appearance of a person. Thus, the reader is left with the impression that Mrs. Hopewell will also have to undergo an epiphanal experience which will destroy the confidence she has in her ability to control and to use Mrs. Freeman. 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. How does the grandmother talk Bailey into going to the plantation? Mrs. Hopewell had told Hulga, in simple, "good country" terms, that a smile on her face would improve matters ("a smile never hurt anything"). "The Enduring Chill" Summary and Analysis, "The Artificial Nigger" Summary and Analysis. She has a complex set of thoughts on religion as she confesses it to Manley Pointer that I told you I didnt believe in God. The excerpt is about Mrs Hopewell needing someone to walk over the fields with her. She is described as having three facial expressions: neutral, forward, and reverse. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. I know I never could." Develop an analogy, an extended comparison of two things that have certain similarities, to explain your personal view of one of the following concepts: heaven, love, home, loss, marriage, wealth. to anyone." Hulga is alone and misses her artificial leg. Joy suggests that they can be at ease in the barn. They lie against the hay and Manley kisses her again. When the Grandmother remembers an old plantation that she thinks used to be in the area they are traveling, Bailey does not want to take a detour to go find it. She lives in her world of superiority and self-assurance without any regard for others. She is a loving mother and tolerates her daughters disdain and irritation in every possible way. Identity Consequently, Mrs. Hopewell considers Hulga's acts of rebellion to be little more than pranks of an immature mind. Oh, Manley Pointer. She has a heart illness, as well as a wooden leg that she wears since childhood when she was shot in a hunting accident. Good country people are the salt of the earth!" This elevation of what Mrs. Hopewell considers "good country people" is linked to the theme of disgust with the world in general, which is prevalent in many of O'Connor's stories. This request leads Hulga to believe that she has "seduced him without even making up her mind to try.". The final irony in the story involves Mrs. Freeman's response: "Some can't be that simple. As she believes in his goodness, she negates her thoughts on life. 5. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Mrs. Freeman. Mrs. Hopewell creates her reality and follows it accordingly. Similarly, Joy Hopewell changes her name to Hulga but despite that Mrs. Hopewell still calls her Joy, only because she chooses this name for her. As Manley Pointers reality is revealed when his Bible turns out to be a box for obscene items, Connor weaves a playful irony to depict the reality of devoted religious sinners. In O'Connor's "Good Country People," why are the characters' names significant? Manley has been waiting for her behind a bush across the street, and as they walk toward the woods, he immediately asks her about her wooden leg. Written in the mid-1950s, this short story features an uncharacteristically strong female character. He removes her glasses but she does not seem to notice.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'litpriest_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-litpriest_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Furthermore, Manley professes his love to Joy and asks her to repeat the same statement to him but she is reluctant at first and gets critical about the idea of love and then says that she is in love with him. Also, we can trace the year of happening from Harvey Hills car who is the suitor of Glynese. Their father, Mr. Freeman is a good person and does not interfere in others affairs. In "Good Country People," does Mrs. Hopewell's character explain her daughter's character in any way? Glasses. 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. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Hulga's eyes, she says, are "icy blue, with the look of someone who has achieved blindness by an act of will and means to keep it.". Just like the hollow Bible, Manleys religious beliefs are also hollow and fake. She completely blinds herself to the approval of the reality of things and sways in his love. He said that he was not a good match for an intellectual like her. She also thinks of Manley as good country people but not above her. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Ironically, she detests the company of both of them because they are not well educated like her. . She has named her daughter Joy because she is her only happiness in the world. Hulga (like OConnor) sees through the hypocrisy of people like her mother, but she is able to offer little of her ownshe can only act against others, not for herself. The real world needs practical skills as the key to a happy life. To continue, Manley also asks her to show him the place where her wooden leg is attached to her body. As he creates similarities between his and Joys illness and makes her feel that he is indeed a simple man, she believes in everything he says. Is O'Connor trying to make a point about formal education through the story "Good Country People"? She expresses the deep ways of human existence in a simple short work of art. However, her foil, Joy considers life as a meaningless existence. Instant downloads of all 1725 LitChart PDFs "Good country people are the salt of the earth! He has declared that at the most she may live up to forty-five years of age. Her name determines her character as the one who hopes that life will be spent easily if she lives by her principles. You might also wish to note that O'Connor's selection of names for her characters helps to establish their significance in the story. . She is a thirty-two years old lady with a degree in philosophy. At the bottom is a group of people she calls trash, whom she describes as poor, uncultured, and essentially criminal. She calls all of her former tenants trash but likes Mrs. Freeman as a good tenant. In modern times, every person has some background story that is hidden from the world. "Good Country People" - CliffsNotes They change according to the need of the time. However, this type of attitude without any faith in God is represented as leading to her downfall, since once she lets Manley take off her leg, she becomes extremely vulnerable. Good country 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. The Freemans are farmers and tenants of Mrs. Hopewell. Its suggested that Mrs. Hopewell doesnt actually like talking with the Bible Salesman, but only listens to him talk for hours because its the polite thing to do, and it fits into her conception of herself as someone who appreciates good country people.. She calls them "Glycerin" and "Caramel" (oily and sticky sweet). superior to everyone. Good Country People Summary Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Hopewell take care of "important business" (2) every morning over breakfast. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'litpriest_com-banner-1','ezslot_1',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-litpriest_com-banner-1-0');However, Joy does not pay attention to him after greeting him. It seems odd that the story, whose focus is Hulga and her wooden leg, begins with a description of Mrs. Freeman and her interactions with Mrs. Hopewell. Also, Hulga is a character who has deep philosophical thoughts and abstract ideas. As in O'Connor's story "A Good Man Is Hard to Find," a strangerdeceptively polite but ultimately evilintrudes upon a family with destructive consequences. What do you think of Hulga's conviction that intelligence and education are incompatible with religious faith? She has heard that Mrs. Freeman always wants to "be into everything"; that being the case, Mrs. Hopewell believes that she can counter this character defect by putting Mrs. Freeman "in charge." Hulga is outraged to discover that the "proof of love" demanded by Pointer is that she show him where her wooden leg joins her body; Hulga is "as sensitive about her artificial leg as a peacock is about his tail." When a shocked Hulga asks whether or not he is "good country people," as he claims he is, Pointer replies, "Yeah . What is the conclusion of "Good Country People" by Flannery O'Connor? LitPriest is a free resource of high-quality study guides and notes for students of English literature. Complete your free account to request a guide. Carramae is married and pregnant while Glynese is not. On the other hand, her daughter is in a flux of changing identities. Accordingly, they think and hope that their lifestyle in the world will lead them well and that they live in a way that is moral and better for them. Thus, ironically, in pointing out her mother's "blindness," Hulga has revealed to us that she herself is blind about her own desires and her own view of reality. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. document.write(new Date().getFullYear());Lit Priest, Literary Devices used in Good Country People, As OConnor says, A story is a way to say something that cant be said any other way, and it takes every word in the story to say what the meaning is.. The chasm between the two women is even further deepened by Mrs. Hopewell's attitude toward the Freeman girls as opposed to her attitude toward Hulga. For example, Mrs. Hopewell sets her standards for good and bad people. Existence in the story is a multi-natured phenomenon. O'Connor, however, does not depict Mrs. Freeman as an example of "good country people.". Physically defeated, Hulga attempts to use her intellect to shame Pointer into returning the leg. and let's eat.". . His religious devotion even shames Mrs. Hopewell into claiming (falsely) that she has a Bible at her bedside. She had had plenty of experience with trash. Before the Freemans she had averaged one tenant family a year. The wives of these farmers were not For example, Hulga is an intellectual character and the story ridicules her for her false admiration by the people around her because of her knowledge. When Mrs. Hopewell returns to the parlor, she finds Pointer with a Bible on each knee. When after a minute, she said in a hoarse high voice, "All right," it was like surrendering to him completely. Why does Manley Pointer refer to Christians as Chrustians in "Good Country People"? The other characters are mainly presented through the eye of their minds. Furthermore, she is quite haughty and grumpy and is not interested in any kind of happiness in life. They meet at the times of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A Bible salesman, who introduces himself as Manley Pointer, visits the family and is invited for dinner despite the Hopewells' lack of interest in purchasing Bibles. Education Why were the Wakatsukis sent to Manzanar? eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. What religious values are in "Good Country People" by Flannery O'Connor? Carramae is Mrs. Freemans daughter who is fifteen years old. This is the symbol of her irrational thoughts and her crippled soul. Moreover, Manleys revealing of the hollow Bible is the main symbol of appearance versus reality. in the end, he is the one who fools her and leaves her helpless. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. However, Manleys personality is revealed at the end when he takes away Hulgas most important part (her leg) just like tricking her dear feelings. Being in power, Hopewell has the authority to shape a person according to her point of view. What could be a thesis statement for the short story "Good Country People" by Flannery O'Connor? Hulga is introduced as an angry-young-lady. In "Good Country People," how does Hulga feel about her wooden leg. . Like the god Vulcan (who is himself disabled), Hulga imagines herself alone, toiling away at work that others will never appreciate. We know, of course, that Mrs. Freeman is no fool when it comes to manipulating. Why does Hulga go on the picnic with Manley Pointer in "Good Country People"? Mrs. Freeman has good relations with all of them. Mrs. Hopewell thinks that girls should go to school and have a good time but Hulga has attained the ultimate educational degree, and yet education did not "bring her out"; privately, Mrs. Hopewell is glad that there is "no more excuse for [Hulga] to go to school again." Since this is the case, it is not surprising that Pointer's comment that it is her leg which "makes her different" produces the total collapse of Hulga's plan. We are required to make an inference about Mrs Hopewell based on the story's settings.. Although O'Connor uses the intellectual, or the pseudo-intellectual, in one of her novels and in seven of her short stories, Hulga is the only female in the bunch. She published the story in June 1955 in her book; A Good Man is Hard to Find. For instance, OConnors interpretation is hugely interwoven with a meaningful expression of different aspects of life. He only uses religion to gain materialistic ends e.g. Another aspect of Hulgas personality is her disbelief in God. He disguises himself as a good country person and an agreeable man for the educated Hulga. She also thinks about her meeting with the salesman at ten and their previous days conversation. Good Country People as an Example of a Southern Gothic Literature She has a face structure that resembles a heavy truck. Moreover, through the use of third-person omniscient narrative, the author judges the standard for good qualities and good people, therefore, elevating the importance of the title Good Country People. Although Mrs. Freeman (free man) is given a clearer view of the realities of the world (she does not, for example, accept either Hulga or Manley Pointer at face value), she chooses to concentrate on the diseased and the grotesque aspects of life. Mr. Freeman was a good farmer but that his wife was the nosiest woman ever to walk the earth. However, her further description is narrated by Mrs. Hopewell in most cases that depict her subservient nature to Mrs. Hopewell. Having reached the barn, the two climb into the loft, where Pointer actively begins to take control. What are the character traits of Joy-Hulga in "Good Country People"? For him, existence is making others uncomfortable and inferior to feel superiority himself. In this moment he overturns Hulgas whole sense of superiority. Therefore, she wears a wooden leg. In "Good Country People," O'Connor uses irony and a finely controlled comic sense to reveal the modern world as it iswithout vision or knowledge. The Question and Answer section for Flannery O'Connors Stories is a great The loss of Hulga's glasses symbolically marks her total loss of perception, and she begins to return his kisses, "kissing him again and again as if she were trying to draw all the breath out of him." In a moment of seemingly immense insight, Hulga lashed out at her mother, yelling, "We are not our own light!" Good Country People Flashcards | Quizlet This same disease was then diagnosed in OConnor herself, debilitating her for many years and causing her death at age 39. Again the present morning in the story, Joy cooks her breakfast in the kitchen while Mrs. Freeman is busy praising her daughters. It was like losing her own life and finding it again, miraculously in his. Incomplete Families: "The Drover's Wife," "The Chosen Vessel," and "Good Country People" Manley Pointer plays his role by removing Hulga's leg and setting it out of her reach. Briefly explain its connection to European history from 1500 to 1800. Mrs. Freeman, another main character, never admits herself to be wrong. In contrast, Mrs. Hopewell is deeply ashamed of Hulga's name, the way she dresses, and her behavior. Because Hulga's glasses interfere with their kissing, Pointer removes them and puts them in his pocket. 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. It is notable that Mrs. Hopewell values the normal above all else, and sees her own daughter as somehow abnormal because of her leg. realized that nothing is perfect and that in the Freemans she had good country people and that if, in this day and age, you get good country people, you had better hang onto them. PDF downloads of all 1725 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. To change one's name from "Joy" to "Hulga," according to Mrs. Hopewell, was an act of ridiculously immature rebellion. However, she faces injury at a tender age that does not let her lead a happy life. (including. Manley Pointer in Good Country People | Shmoop The Bible Salesman earns Hulgas trust by telling a story of his own sorrow. On the other hand, Mrs. Freeman loves calling her by the name Hulga, because she relishes hearing ugly things. The title Good Country People is an irony for the contrasting natures of the characters in the story. Consequently, they will be prevented from the dodging world by living their way. This mention of a heart disease, paralleling Hulga's heart trouble, has a marked effect on Mrs. Hopewell, and she invites him to stay for dinner even though she is "sorry the instant she heard herself say it." These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of short stories by Flannery O'Connor. Moreover, through the use of third-person omniscient narrative, the author judges the standard for good qualities and good people, therefore, elevating the importance of the title Good Country People. They continue to kiss, and without her leg she feels entirely dependent on Manley. That night, she lies in bed imagining dialogues between herself and Pointer that are insane on the surface but which reach below to depths that no Bible salesman would be aware of. The hollow Bible presents the hollow and deceptive nature of Manley Pointer. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. The spectacles also denote different perspectives of the people in the story. (including. -Louis XIV. She is also a single mother and supposedly paid for her daughters education throughout her educational career. For example, Mrs. Hopewell is a respected lady and a landowner. Manley is surprised to see that Joy can climb the ladder in the barn. Hulga sees herself as superior to and more intelligent than the men in the area, showing that she too sees a clear hierarchy of people with herself at the top. . What forces are pushing against the grandmother from without or within? She takes care of it as someone else might take care of his soul. Mrs. Hopewell thinks that Hulga's wearing "a six-year-old skirt and a yellow sweat shirt with a faded cowboy on a horse embossed on it" is idiotic, proof that despite Hulga's Ph.D. and her name change, she is "still a child.". Despite the harsh externalities of the characters, they are deeply altered by love. Hulga is so irritated by what she sees as inane small-talk that she chooses to hide in the bathroom instead of join in. Mrs. Freeman is Mrs. Hopewells employee and tenant for about four years. . Moreover, the way characters present themselves in Good Country People is often the very opposite of how they are. Good Country People Overview Quiz - eNotes.com She used to be insecure about her wooden leg, but now she reveres it as her defining quality, besides her education. Prior to his betrayal of her, Hulga considered herself to be the intellectual superior of all those around her. She also thinks that Mrs. Freeman is a good person because she wants to believe it but Mrs. Freeman is a sadist. Choose the correct pronoun from those shown in parentheses. As she has a deep understanding of philosophy, for her, life is an illusion and every kind of feeling is a trap for humans. They enter a barn to sit down, and climb up a ladder to the loft. As OConnor says, A story is a way to say something that cant be said any other way, and it takes every word in the story to say what the meaning is. The story Good Country People is a compact and beautiful piece of work that materializes her statement by making it unique and interesting. Our notes cover Good Country People summary, themes, characters and analysis. His personality resembles that of the hollow Bible because his exterior is so simple and pure but there is nothing inside. Joy calls her Caramel, however, it is not mentioned whether she has any interaction with her. For example, Mrs. Hopewells idea of good people is itself contradictory. What is the significance of the title "Good Country People"? Whereis theforeshadowing of what will ultimately happen to Hulga? money, food, useless accessories, etc. Her major flaw is her blindness towards the reality of people. The short story Good Country People is not overloaded with the idea of positive aspects of love, but it shows how love affects life in every respect. Her forward. He marvels at it and it seems as if he just wants to learn how to take it on and off. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. Through the use of playful irony, the writer crafts a realistic picture of a society where there are always two sides to a coin. Despite being the chaste sections of society, some characters exhibit conflicting and false appearances. . 10 Questions Show answers Question 1 30 seconds Q. He does not care about anyone else. O'Connor further reinforces her view of Mrs. Freeman as a manipulator of Mrs. Hopewell by giving her, Mrs. Freeman, attributes which parallel those of Manley Pointer. Hers is based on education, intelligence, and authenticity, howevernot class, wealth, or religious faith. Similarly, Joy also thinks of people as inferior just like her mother. She wrote two novels in her lifetime and thirty-two short stories. He told her that he was just a poor country boy and that he had a heart condition that might kill him soon. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. She yells at him, Youre a Christian! and accuses him of being a hypocrite. What does this say about Hulga's philosophy? In the beginning, Joy thinks of herself as an extremely educated person whose mental level is above her surrounding peoples thinking. She also keeps Mrs. Freeman busy in her conversation to avoid her mothers investigation. She was born Joy, and her mother refuses to call her by her legal name, Hulga, which she chose for its ugliness. Hulgas heart condition and artificial leg have dominated her life: instead of travelling the world and learning, she is trapped at homeand yet she seems to wallow in her misery, rather than trying to do anything to change her situation. On his way down, he calls to her that she is not so much smarter than him; he doesnt believe in God, either. from your Reading List will also remove any The story is mainly ironic about the natures of good country people. Pointer's final comment strips Hulga of her last resource her feeling of intellectual superiority. In what ways do Mrs. Freemans descriptions of her daughters contribute to the theme of the story "Good Country People"? Ex. Mrs. Hopewell's analysis of Pointer, "He was so simple . The night before, Hulga had lain in bed, imagining intense conversations between herself and the. 3. Hulgas view of the world and the people is completely different from what Manley makes of her. All characters of the story are in the illusion of fake identities. One does not only need education for a better life, experience matters more. Compare and contrast the characters and personalities of Joy (Hulga) and the Bible salesman in "Good Country People" by Flannery O'Connor. Read the excerpt from "Good Country People." Mrs. Hopewell liked to What is Manley Pointer's motive for humiliating Hulga? When they reach the edge of the woods, he kisses her; she has never been kissed before and is not particularly impressed. Mrs. Freeman is free to rule herself. ", As a result of Mrs. Hopewell's failure to understand Hulga, Hulga withdraws; she decides not to attempt any meaningful relationship with her mother. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. On Saturday morning, Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman inquire Hulga about her conversation with Manley the day before. Then Manley packs up his things along with Joys wooden leg in his briefcase and throws it down. Instant PDF downloads. The pink weeds and "speckled pink hillsides" (pink being the color symbolic of sensuality and the emotions) serve to emphasize how Hulga is slowly losing control of the situation.
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