There they talk about some important matters every day. It questions the idea of goodness, what are the standards for good qualities and why are some people considered good or bad. Mr. Freeman is a farmer and tenant of Mrs. Hopewell. Explain each character's ways of manipulation in "Good Country People.". In "Good Country People," how does Hulga feel about her wooden leg. She yells at him, Youre a Christian! and accuses him of being a hypocrite. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. I know I never could.". The three leading women, Mrs. Freeman, Mrs. Hopewell, and Hulga encounter each other there thrice a day. 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. She published the story in June 1955 in her book; A Good Man is Hard to Find. While leaving the house, he sees Hulga outside who joins him towards the door and he manages to have some talk with her before leaving. Therefore, the style becomes complex and philosophic. It is a small, remote, and rural place. However, in the end, he is the one who fools her and leaves her helpless. Hulga's conscious assumption that there was nothing behind the surface reality which we see around us is a far cry from the "truth" that she now cites in Malebranche's philosophy. Their unexceptional kiss reinforces her belief that she is more sophisticated than ordinary people, and sees through everyday illusions like romance. However, when she finds attention from Mr. Manley, her personality shifts towards agreeableness and she softens her limits. Joy gets irritated and loses her romantic mood. His comment, "People don't like to fool with country people like me," touches a hidden switch in Mrs. Hopewell, and she responds with a barrage of platitudes concerning good country people and the world's lack of sufficient numbers of that breed. She is used to reading a lot and prefers to live in isolation. The glorification of the past is prevalent in "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" through the character of The Grandmother, who expresses nostalgia Flannery O'Connor's Stories study guide contains a biography of Flannery O'Connor, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. PDF downloads of all 1725 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. This illusion is induced in her mind first by her mother and then by Manley Pointer. She is extremely educated and detests religious principles and beliefs. While leaving the house, he sees Hulga outside who joins him towards the door and he manages to have some talk with her before leaving. but I guess the world would be better off if we were all that simple," is as wrong as Hulga's earlier assessment of Pointer. Existence in the story is a multi-natured phenomenon. Hulgas insistence that she climb up to the loft indicates sensitivity regarding her artificial lega sensitivity which the Bible Salesman is now exploiting. Mrs. Hopewell had no bad qualities of her own but she was able to use other people's in such a constructive way . Having made her commitment to Pointer, Hulga allows herself to indulge in a fantasy in which "she would run away with him and that every night he would take the leg off and every morning put it back on again." Read the Study Guide for Flannery O'Connors Stories, Tempus Fugit: A Different View of Southern Hospitality, Conflicting Identity Schemas in Everything That Rises Must Converge, Flannery O'Connor's Intellectuals: Exposing Her World's Narrow "Field of Vision", A Grave Mistake: The Irony of Sheppard's Selfishness, View our essays for Flannery O'Connors Stories, Introduction to Flannery O'Connor's Stories, View the lesson plan for Flannery O'Connors Stories, View Wikipedia Entries for Flannery O'Connors Stories. She misjudges Manley Pointer for his goodness who turns out to be a fraud person. The story ends up with Mrs. Freeman who begins it. The last two paragraphs of the story, concerning Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman, were added at the suggestion of O'Connor's editor. It also means that she seems more sensible and near to reality than the other ladies in the story. Because Hulga's glasses interfere with their kissing, Pointer removes them and puts them in his pocket. . 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. However, Joy does not pay attention to him after greeting him. She does not make a distinction between good and bad people based on their character but judges them on the basis of their class. He is familiar with all the slick tricks used by the typical door-to-door salesman, and he also has a second sense which enables him to take advantage of Mrs. Hopewell even though she is not interested in entertaining a salesman of any description. Bible Mrs. Hopewell can't say, "My daughter is a philosopher." because of pregnancy. Hulga is the protagonist of the story Good Country People. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Hulga is completely unprepared for any kind of romantic date, and immediately assumes the worstthat the Bible Salesman wont show up. In Good Country People, Mrs. Hopewell sees the people of her world as falling into a clear hierarchy. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. 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. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. These names depict the meaning of their existence in the story-line. 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. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. She has named her daughter Joy because she is her only happiness in the world. The easygoing chatter between Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman contrasts with Hulgas sense of seriousness about life. However, she faces injury at a tender age that does not let her lead a happy life. She has been working for Mrs. Hopewell for four years, and the two women often converse over breakfast in the Hopewells kitchen. Likewise, Joys encounter with Manley Pointer is another instance of appearance and reality distinction. Mrs. Hopewells willingness to introduce the Freeman family around town is presented as surprisingin the world where this story takes place, class and status place people into a clear hierarchy. Her forward. "Good country people" refers to those whom Mrs. Hopewell sees as simple and moral. All characters of the story are in the illusion of fake identities. The valise, which seemed to contain Bibles, in fact contains traditional sinful objectsalcohol, pornography, and condoms. Mrs. Hopewell lies about keeping a Bible at her bedside to give the impression that she is religious. Hulga is shocked and asks, Arent you arent you just good country people? He laughs and implies that he is going to rape her. However, her classification is based on the level of education which makes it difficult for her to cope with the reality of life. He still refuses to give her her leg back; instead, he slams it inside his valise and climbs down the ladder, abandoning her in the loft. However, her further description is narrated by Mrs. Hopewell in most cases that depict her subservient nature to Mrs. Hopewell. Despite the harsh externalities of the characters, they are deeply altered by love. Moreover, Manleys revealing of the hollow Bible is the main symbol of appearance versus reality. He wishes to take away her most crucial part i.e. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Nor does she love to enjoy nature. He has also made her fall for him with his jokes and silly conversation. This irritates Hulga but pleases Mrs. Freeman. "Their conversation . 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. By living such an intellectual life, Hulga has to some extent cut herself off from the natural world, reaffirming that, for all her knowledge of philosophy, she is missing out on many aspects of life. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. She is self-willed and grumpy. Manley Pointer plays his role by removing Hulga's leg and setting it out of her reach. In this short story, Connor ironically depicts the contradictory natures of the characters of the discussed Southern society. Manley is surprised to see that Joy can climb the ladder in the barn. It questions the idea of goodness, what are the standards for good qualities and why are some people considered good or bad. The concept of good country people recurs throughout the story, referring to Mrs. Hopewells view that there is a certain kind of person who lives out in the country and is a simple, moral person. She is also a single mother and supposedly paid for her daughters education throughout her educational career. For all their self-righteousness and sense of superiority, Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Hopewell reveal themselves to be totally ignorant of the truth of the world around them. Good Country People offers few glimpses of true, authentic faith. In modern times, every person has some background story that is hidden from the world. Furthermore, she is quite haughty and grumpy and is not interested in any kind of happiness in life. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. Whenever the writer uses good for the people, she is judgmental about their realities and means the opposite of it. He didnt want to go to college, he just wanted to sell Bibles. Hulga, however, is wrong, and even O'Connor's color imagery which is inserted as Hulga and Pointer make their way to the old barn (likened at one point to a train which they fear may "slide away") contributes to the impression that Hulga may have met her match. : Hulga, Manly Pointer, "Good Country People": Discussion Questions, AP Language Midterm Exam (Literary Terms/Devi, The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Literature and Composition: Reading, Writing,Thinking, Carol Jago, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses. However, she has a loving mother to care for. Hulga's leg Mrs. Hopewell lives alone with her daughter, Joy. Mrs. Freemans interest in Hulgas disability seems to bother Hulga, indicating that her artificial leg is the key to her vulnerability. To explain, the sincere and fair main characters of the story, Mrs. Hopewell and Hulga fall in the trap of the people who mask themselves as good people. This misperception leads them to assume that the world is much simpler than it actually is. Likewise, the experienced and independent Mrs. Hopewell is blind to see the antagonism of Mrs. Freeman for herself. "Good Country People" doesn't quite rise to the level of a horror story, but there are many gothic elements. Limited by a weak read analysis of Hulga Hopewell (Joy) For example, the narrator has access to the minds of Hulga and Mrs. Hopewell who are depicted with sometimes negative yet sympathetic eyes. What hints are there to suggest that she's really just hiding the facade of her education and intelligence? 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. Mrs. Hopewell owns a farm in rural Georgia which she runs with the assistance of her tenants, Mr. and Mrs. Freeman. 1. 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. In fact, Mrs. Hopewell is so blind to reality that she believes that she can "use" Mrs. Freeman. She also calls Hulga by her proper name when her mother is out of sight. This confusion of her reality and her innocence makes her fall in the trap of the worldly people. Her vulnerable soul can be determined first from the weakness of her heart, as she is not wise and experienced, and secondly, from her fake leg, as she has no strong standing in the world of reality. Her first novel was "Wise Blood' in 1952. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. 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. Despite her job for the Hopewells, she does not let them rule her instincts and principles. The story itself narrates life as a mystery that remains a question for everyone whatever they think.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'litpriest_com-leader-4','ezslot_13',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-litpriest_com-leader-4-0'); Through the character of Hulga Hopewell, OConnor gives the idea that education does not make a person practical unless one deals with every kind of surroundings. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. After dinner, Manley overstayed his welcome telling Mrs. Hopewell about his poor family for two hours. In the end, her education fails her badly in the class difference. She is an independent lady and a successful landowner in the Southern part of the US in the 1950s with farmers and tenants working for her. Some characters consider themselves superior to others while others do not recognize where they stand in life. Glasses. But, significantly, Mrs. Hopewell cannot reconcile herself to a daughter who is "different," despite the fact that Mrs. Hopewell can sound as though she has an all-accepting, catholic compassion. Their major task is to talk in platitudes but Joy has more abstract and philosophic ideas.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'litpriest_com-leader-2','ezslot_11',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-litpriest_com-leader-2-0'); She has also lost one leg in a hunting accident when she was ten. Glynese is Mrs. Freemans eighteen years old daughter and is single. Mrs. Hopewell is aware that Hulga disapproves of the Freeman girls, but she herself remains enchanted by them, totally unconscious of her own daughter's deep need to be accepted even though Hulga states that "If you want me, here I am LIKE I AM. But despite her class, she works hard like Mrs. Freeman. Good Country People Characters Next Hulga Hopewell (Joy) Hulga Hopewell (Joy) The daughter of Mrs. Hopewell, Hulga is intelligent, intellectual, and cynical. 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. Through the use of playful irony, the writer crafts a realistic picture of a society where there are always two sides to a coin. They work on her farms and at her home. Teachers and parents! She is supposed to meet Manley at the gate at ten oclock, and she has been up thinking about it all night. but I guess the world would be better off if we were all that simple." 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 OConnors stories. When she asks that he return it, he refuses, and from a hollowed-out Bible (emblematic perhaps of his own religious condition), he produces whiskey, prophylactics, and playing cards with pornographic pictures on them. . 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. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# In different ways, they are all hypocrites, claiming to honor and to have higher moral standards than they actually do. Just like the hollow Bible, Manleys religious beliefs are also hollow and fake. Moreover, Manleys revealing of the hollow Bible is the main symbol of appearance versus reality. More often, the characters demonstrate false claims of devotion. Her bitter personality can be seen as the result of her harsh experiences also. On his way down, he calls to her that she is not so much smarter than him; he doesnt believe in God, either. A short story Good Country People is a striking example of a Southern Gothic literature. Refine any search. 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. Hulga's epiphany, or moment of grace, occurs as a result of Pointer's betrayal of her faith in him and his destruction of her intellectual pretensions. However, her illusion is shattered by the fraud of Manley who removes her wooden leg leaving her useless. However, she does complain about her attitude and sadness but sympathizes with her physical condition and tries to please her in every way. She takes care of it by herself and never lets anyone see it. In her world, status is defined not just by wealth or land, but also by social respectability, building a family, and acting out the status quowhich for a young woman means getting married and having children. OConnor also depicts a class conflict in her story Good Country People. She also thinks of young men as stupid and useless (because she is intelligent and philosophic). Even the names she chooses for each character help her to establish their significance in the story. As Pointer is leaving the barn loft with Hulga's wooden leg, he further disillusions Hulga by telling her that he has obtained a number of interesting things from other people, including a glass eye, in the same way that he took Hulga's leg. Her name Freeman employs her nature which is depicted as a lady who triumphantly owns herself. . Their relationship seems to be moving towards the possibility of love in the beginning, but they part in a huge disillusionment later on. This is the symbol of her irrational thoughts and her crippled soul. His only religion is his desires. Ironically, she detests the company of both of them because they are not well educated like her. She also keeps Mrs. Freeman busy in her conversation to avoid her mothers investigation. Briefly explain its connection to European history from 1500 to 1800. In his identity crisis, he wants to harm people to feel triumphant. 3. Sometimes, there is enough wordiness in his dialogues. She asks him to roll up her pants and see where her leg attaches. She completely blinds herself to the approval of the reality of things and sways in his love. He withdraws Hulgas leg and keeps it aside. 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. Hulga is vulnerable when it comes to her own identity: when Mrs. Freeman calls her Hulga, she reacts as if it were a violation of her privacy, even though that is the name she chose for herselfbecause she chose the name to assert her agency and mock others, and doesnt want anyone else to be in on the joke. Mrs. Hopewell, for example, speaks with authority about the difference between good country people and trash. Throughout the story, she projects an air of moral superiority, but its, Instant downloads of all 1725 LitChart PDFs He managed to have an interesting conversation with Joy about his religious services that he ensures to pursue. She considers everyone inferior to her and reminds them of their lower class e.g. 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. She admires her daughters before Hulga and Mrs. Hopewell because Mrs. Freeman likes to make Hulga feel inferior and ordinary. This story is divided into four rather distinct sections which help emphasize the relationships between the four central characters. In this short story, Connor ironically depicts the contradictory natures of the characters of the discussed Southern society. Also, we can trace the year of happening from Harvey Hills car who is the suitor of Glynese. Mrs. Hopewell sees Manley going out of the woods but does not expect that they have met. He has been the savvy manipulator all along (the exact opposite of a good country boy), whereas Hulga thought she was the one seducing him. 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. . Good country people are the salt of the earth!. On the contrary, he is the most deceptive and heartless person who deceives other people also. Manley Pointer is a Bible salesman who seduces the extremely knowledgeable and unsocial Hulga Hopewell. Hulga does not like this idea but he confesses that this is the thing that he likes in her because this distinguishes her unique nature. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. 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. Hulga, meanwhile, naturally scorns the Bible Salesman at first, but then feels a sudden burst of emotion when it seems like someone else might share her same heart condition. Joy thinks that Manley is the most simple and loving person she has ever met. Mrs. Hopewell thinks of him as such a simple and pure man who might be selling Bibles to the black lot where he is heading. . 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. They are the only tenants who are good for her unlike her previous tenants who were all trash. Though not the storys protagonist, Mrs. Freeman is the first character we are introduced to, as OConnor moves among the different points of view of her characters. The story itself narrates life as a mystery that remains a question for everyone whatever they think. Hulga, Mrs. Hopewells daughter, lumbers around the house and stomps into the kitchen one morning while the two women talk. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1725 titles we cover. Both women fail to see that the world (because it is a fallen world) is a mixture of good and evil. Whereis theforeshadowing of what will ultimately happen to Hulga? anywhere or introduce . What is the resolution? Then he kisses Joy while walking in the woods but she ignores the act. Who does O'Connor admire and satirize in "Good Country People"? . For instance, it has a different meaning for every character and similar is the reality of life. Soon he convinces her to show him where her wooden leg connects to her body, and eventually he gets her to remove it. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. Joy is an atheist and has a Ph.D. in philosophy but seems non-sensible to her mother, and in an act of rebellion against her mother, Joy changed her name to "Hulga," the ugliest name Mrs. Hopewell can imagine. He marvels at it and it seems as if he just wants to learn how to take it on and off. In order to allow the reader to develop a degree of genuine sympathy for Hulga, O'Connor places her in an environment which would appall any sensitive person. He says that his disbelief in any religion is bigger than her disapproval of religious institutions and runs away. However, Hulga is irritated by the platitudes of the other ladies. 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." By contrast, Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman are happy to gossip. Is O'Connor trying to make a point about formal education through the story "Good Country People"? He said that he was not a good match for an intellectual like her. . Incomplete Families: "The Drover's Wife," "The Chosen Vessel," and "Good Country People" Presently, while Freeman discusses her daughters, Joy takes her breakfast to the table so that her mother may not find the chance to ask about the salesman. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. Hulga is punished for her act of faith, unfortunately as the Bible Salesman is not as innocent as Hulga believes. Does the story have any admirable characters or heroes in the conventional sense? ", Hulga's manner of dress also contributes to the vast misunderstanding that exists between the two women. In the beginning, Joy thinks of herself as an extremely educated person whose mental level is above her surrounding peoples thinking. He pretends to be entering her house accidentally but after meeting Hulga, he seduces her within no time. His personality resembles that of the hollow Bible because his exterior is so simple and pure but there is nothing inside. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. To Hulga, there is no god and there is no afterlife; man is all. The writing style of Good Country People is both descriptive and conversational. What does Mrs. Hopewell mean by the phrase "good country people"? She takes care of it as someone else might take care of his soul. In O'Connor's "Good Country People," why are the characters' names significant? On his entrance in the story, his main purpose is to mock Mrs. Hopewells superior status. Besides, we all have different ways of doing, it takes all kinds to make the world go 'round. Mrs. Hopewell is always hopeful about life and thinks that her approach towards life will lead her well. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. OConnor depicts the society that bestows false praises upon its members of intelligence or prestige. This shows the huge contrast between reality and appearance of a person. This determines the superficiality of a seemingly pure mind and an intelligent soul who want to keep themselves away from the distractions of the physical world but in turn, fall into such distractions quite comfortably. On Saturday morning, Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman inquire Hulga about her conversation with Manley the day before. . She also changed her name from Joy to Hulga when she was in college at twenty-one. "Everything That Rises Must Converge". Complete your free account to request a guide. She is born Joy but later changes her name to Hulga. For her, her own identity remains fixed i.e. In the story, she is the most authentic source for truth and reality. However, her mother calls her senseless and impractical. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'litpriest_com-box-4','ezslot_4',103,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-litpriest_com-box-4-0');However, Hulga does not tolerate interference in her life; she does not want to be pleasant even for a while. In every instance, the intellectual comes to realize that his belief in his ability to control his life totally, as well as control those things which influence it, is a faulty belief. She is a thirty-two years old lady with a degree in philosophy. He is Glyneses suitor and seems a foil to Lymans character. What are the character traits of Joy-Hulga in "Good Country People"? When a shocked Hulga asks whether or not he is "good country people," as he claims he is, Pointer replies, "Yeah . 4. At the instant, she demands him to attach the artificial leg back to her leg and tries to reach it but he pushes it away. Another aspect of Hulgas personality is her disbelief in God. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. In "Good Country People," what did Hulga hope to steal from Pointer when he stole her leg and glasses? Through the encounter with the bible salesman, what does Hulga learn about herself and other people? In "Good Country People," Mrs. Hopewell says, "He was so simple . Mrs. Hopewell gets up at 7:00 AM and lights the heatershers and her daughter Joy'sand then she gets to gossiping in the kitchen with Mrs. Freeman. Faith She also thinks that Mrs. Freeman is a good person because she wants to believe it but Mrs. Freeman is a sadist. Their major task is to talk in platitudes but Joy has more abstract and philosophic ideas. Hulgas wooden leg is considered her uniqueness throughout her life. Its suggested that something romantic passed between Hulga and the Bible Salesman outside, and Hulga wants to avoid her mothers nosy questions about it. During the date, he persuades her to go up into the barn loft where he persuades her to remove her prosthetic leg and takes her glasses. In supper, Mr. Pointer discusses his family and his eagerness to help people. In nihilism, there is no concrete basis for distinguishing right from wrong. Throughout the story, many identities are shown but by the end of the story the real identities of the characters are revealed.

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