Reading Good Country
People by Flannery O’Connor makes you think of and reflect on relationships
you have with people. Do you really know who they are? Or are they putting up a
good front just for show? Mrs. Hopewell and the bible salesman are very similar
in that they act very differently towards strangers than they do to their
family or those that they are close to. Towards the end Hulga says, “You’re a
fine Christian! You’re just like them all- say one thing and do another”
(1353).
Hulga is a good example of how no matter how strong you act
or appear there are always those that will push you down. As the reader we can sympathize
with Hulge for many different reasons, including her fake leg. Even with this
major setback Hulga acts independent and strong. She wants to show the world
that she does not need any help. After discussing this story in class I can see
how O’Connor relates this story to her own life. As a grown woman she was
forced to go back and live with her mother, which must have had a huge toll on
her life. I think the main point O’Connor was trying to portray is that there
are struggles in life where you are on your own and people can be very
deceitful.
O'Connor, Flannery. The Norton Anthology American
Literature: Good Country People. 8th ed. Vol. 2, 2013. Print.
I think the quote you used is rather interesting. I think everyone knows that one person who goes to Church/Chapel/etc. every week and is still a mean person in real life; going to Church doesn't make you a good Christian just as much as standing in a garage doesn't make you a car (it's the actions done not what's practiced). This story definitely highlights that fact--good country people can also be bad country people.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tessa's comment. I definitely sympathized with Hulga, along with her physical being she thought that she knew everything and had everything figured out, but in the end she was left completely vulnerable. I also liked how you compared Mrs. Hopewell and the salesman, it definitely paired well with the quote!
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right, we all put on our facades before going out into the world. Nobody wants anybody else to know how messed up or disgusting we all are, just to different degrees. The best thing any of us can do is to be observant and open minded when dealing with others.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think O'Connor is suggesting about what it means to be a good Christian? or "good country people"?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think O'Connor is suggesting about what it means to be a good Christian? or "good country people"?
ReplyDeleteI think you make a good point. People can be very deceitful and take advantage of the people who are most vulnerable to being with. I think it's interesting that O'Connor has this deceitful character being portrayed as a good Christian selling bibles from the beginning. I think it just adds to the deceit and how us as readers are completely taken off guard as well. We would never expect a bible salesmen to be a lying thief. It makes us question our judgments and weary to trust anyone we may come to meet.
ReplyDelete