However, there is no insight into her psychological world; therefore, little is known about her feelings. One does not only need education for a better life, experience matters more. When Manley tells her that he likes her wooden leg because it makes her different, she felt as if her heart had stopped and left her mind to pump her blood. Her mind, of course, is incapable of this feat. Morality In Flannery O Connor's Good Country People Her unwillingness to associate herself with those around her has made Hulga a very unlikeable person. As the story is structured in the Southern part of the state, some factors depict the south gothic nature of the short story. Another reason for her mothers tolerance is that Joy Hopewell has a heart issue and will supposedly live for almost ten more years. He has declared that at the most she may live up to forty-five years of age. Mrs. Hopewell is convinced that Joy pondered until she "hit upon the ugliest name in any language" and then legally changed her name. Instead, during their interactions, she tries to maintain control of her mind. At the bottom is a group of people she calls trash, whom she describes as poor, uncultured, and essentially criminal. Then the story shifts to the kitchen of Mrs. Hopewell. She is married to Lyman and is pregnant. For him, existence is making others uncomfortable and inferior to feel superiority himself. 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. Both of the characters whom Mrs. Hopewell describes as being good country people turn out not to fit that description at all. "Sooo much more helpful than SparkNotes. The story is mainly ironic about the natures of good country people. It also means that she seems more sensible and near to reality than the other ladies in the story. Similarly, the writer begins the story with a descriptive note on Mrs. Freemans truck-like facial structure. She also imagines that she takes his remorse and changes it into a deeper understanding of life. . On the contrary, Mrs. Freeman is depicted as a fairly shrewd woman who is capable of "using" Mrs. Hopewell's blindness to reality, just as Manley Pointer will later "use" Hulga's blindness to reality for his own selfish advantage. To Hulga, there is no god and there is no afterlife; man is all. I been believing in nothing ever since I was born. ", When Hulga meets Pointer at the gate, she finds it easy to continue her misconceptions about his innocence and her wisdom. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Who do Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman think Manley is selling bibles to at the end of the story? However, her illusion is shattered by the fraud of Manley who removes her wooden leg leaving her useless. In Hulga's case, despite her advanced academic degrees, she is unable to see what is bad, and her mother's stereotyping perspective proves to be equally misleading and false. Hulga, on the other hand, is outraged by this endless self-justification and agreement. She is a thirty-two years old lady with a degree in philosophy. She has believed that she was an iron-willed rationalist, as indicated by the underlined passage in one of her books that Mrs. Hopewell attempted to read. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Hulga, Mrs. Hopewells daughter, lumbers around the house and stomps into the kitchen one morning while the two women talk. Before the Freemans, no workers would live with Mrs. Hopewell for more than about a year because they would not suit her idea of good people. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Similarly, her ideas and intelligence does not help her when she needs them the most. He marvels at it and it seems as if he just wants to learn how to take it on and off. He drives 1955 Mercury. had been of that kind," she says. Hulgas seemingly religious epiphany is perhaps the most crucial moment of the story. Limited by a weak read analysis of Hulga Hopewell (Joy) Identity When they reach the edge of the woods, he kisses her; she has never been kissed before and is not particularly impressed. His former record in farming is good and is approved by his last owner. . 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. 1. 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.". because of pregnancy. There was nothing about her face or her round freezing-blue eyes to indicate that this had moved her; but she felt as if her heart had stopped and left her mind to pump her blood. What does Hulga learn about herself and about other people through her encounter with the Bible salesman in "Good Country People"? 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. Mrs. Freeman has good relations with all of them. 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. He then produces a hollowed-out Bible containing a bottle of whiskey, sex cards, and some condoms. Southern Gothic. He has no background and just comes in the story from nowhere, but he wins a firm place in Hulgas heart. He is Glyneses suitor and seems a foil to Lymans character. Explain. Mrs. Hopewell has a high opinion of herself and is happy to congratulate herself on good decisions, such as putting Mrs. Freemans nosiness to good use. 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. Now, she sets off to meet him at the gate. 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. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. The name Pointer (manly), not his real name, functions as a semi-obscene pun on one level, and it comes to point out, on another level, the depths to which humanity might descend if it follows only its "manly" nature. This is because she is looked down upon by Mrs. Hopewell. However, her mother calls her senseless and impractical. 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. In fact, Mrs. Hopewell would probably sum up her inability to understand her daughter-with-a-Ph.D. by saying, "She's brilliant, but she doesn't have a grain of sense." Likewise, Hulga is named Joy by her mother as she wants her to be happy and fresh. It is the same year OConnor wrote the story, therefore, one can assume that the place is somewhere in Georgia that is Connors home town. 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. Mrs. Hopewell would probably be pleased that her daughter was going on a date with such a nice boy, which is precisely why Hulga keeps it a secretshe doesnt want to give her mother any satisfaction. 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. In "Good Country People," how does Hulga feel about her wooden leg. The excerpt is about Mrs Hopewell needing someone to walk over the fields with her. He sets up a controlled game and plays with the intelligence of those high-class women. In her mind she is morally superior to others, but if she is willing to lie about the Bible without a second thought, then she has no real claim to any moral high ground. Mrs. Hopewell wants her daughter to be happy and well dressed. He calls Joy as a stupid and a fool girl who is seduced by a smart person like him. For instance, the eyeglass that Manley stole, Hulgas life incidents, her isolated life, the wooden leg, and the remote barn depict the gothic nature of the work. Mrs. Hopewell creates her reality and follows it accordingly. However, she is dependent upon her mother due to her physical illness. They also talk about different subjects like damnation, nothingness, God and so on. Reality vs. Illusion/Desire, 1. 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. Finally, Hulga utters, "Yes, yes," and Pointer then insists that she prove it. However, Joy does not pay attention to him after greeting him. 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. On the other hand, her daughter is in a flux of changing identities. Hulgas insistence that she climb up to the loft indicates sensitivity regarding her artificial lega sensitivity which the Bible Salesman is now exploiting. She is described as having three facial expressions: neutral, forward, and reverse. What does "We are not our own light" mean? By contrast, Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman are happy to gossip. . Mrs. Hopewell treats her like a small child because she thinks that Joy has seen enough illnesses in her life. Although Mrs. Freeman has her own family, however, she makes sure to be at Hopewells place in mealtimes and observe them having their meals. Why did Flannery O'Connor choose an onion as the closing image in the story "Good Country People"? She remembers their conversation from the evening before, during which she lied to him and said she was only seventeen years old, and he told her he thought she was real sweet. They connected about the fact that they both might die soon from a heart condition, and he invites her on a picnic for the next day. Ordinarily, she remains in forward: staring straight ahead. Hulga's mother naively believes in the absolute goodness of "good country people"; she believes that if a person can hire good country people, "you had better hang onto them." Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. 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. 3. The story ends up with Mrs. Freeman who begins it. "Good country people are the salt of the earth! Manley finds confusion in Hulgas thoughts about God and nothingness and he uses her in this way. She is supposed to meet Manley at the gate at ten oclock, and she has been up thinking about it all night. Hulga makes eggs while her mother considers how she probably should not have earned a Ph.D. in philosophy, since it has not brought her any good. Even the names she chooses for each character help her to establish their significance in the story. Mrs. Freeman. In a moment of seemingly immense insight, Hulga lashed out at her mother, yelling, "We are not our own light!" (including. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Good Country People Characters Next Hulga Hopewell (Joy) Hulga Hopewell (Joy) The daughter of Mrs. Hopewell, Hulga is intelligent, intellectual, and cynical. It is descriptive because mostly the main characters are discussed by Mrs. Hopewell as she describes Joys history and complains about her attitude. In "Good Country People," identify the point of view and explain how knowing the point of view influences how we understand a major theme of the story. 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. I think thats whats wrong with it You dont see any more real honest people unless you go way out in the country. Of course, this judgment of Manley is incorrect, since he is a liar and swindler. Remember that until this moment, Hulga has subscribed to an atheistic viewpoint. This further distances their relationship. Good Country People Literary Analysis Flannery O'Connor's dismissal of the outside world allows you to understand more of the symbolic quality of all of the active characters. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. In modern times, every person has some background story that is hidden from the world. Every character in Good Country People believes he or she has the moral high ground, but none of them leads the ethical life they claim to. Just like the hollow Bible, Manleys religious beliefs are also hollow and fake. Chazelle, Damien ed. Instead, he opens his valise to reveal that there are only two Bibles inside, and that they are fake; they open to reveal a flask of whiskey, a pack of cards, and some medicine in a small blue box. The Question and Answer section for Flannery O'Connors Stories is a great These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of short stories by Flannery O'Connor. You might also wish to note that O'Connor's selection of names for her characters helps to establish their significance in the story. What hints are there to suggest that she's really just hiding the facade of her education and intelligence? She thinks that her way of life would ultimately turn out to be better for herself and others. Her forward. In fact, Mrs. Hopewell is so blind to reality that she believes that she can "use" Mrs. Freeman. 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. Its suggested that Hulga disability feeds her introversion and alienation, and has given her a cynical view of the worldone manifested by changing her name from Joy to Hulga.. She shows up at their private times i.e. Despite the harsh externalities of the characters, they are deeply altered by love. 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. Whereas she moves through everyday life protecting herself with arrogance and intellectual superiority, here she makes herself completely vulnerableand in that moment of vulnerability, she accesses a more spiritual state of being, something which Flannery OConnor might call grace. This is the one true act of authentic faith in the story, and even OConnors language in describing it echoes that of the Bible: Jesus says, whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.. Also like Hulga, OConnor was well educated and brilliant, but living in a relatively uneducated Southern environment. This is because the doctors have advised her to take great care of her daughter as with the best of care, Joy might live to see forty-five. In this case, they are used to reveal that the people whom Mrs. Hopewell believes to be good country people are in fact nothing of the sort. anywhere or introduce . Hulga, who generally takes such a rational-minded view of the world, is touchy at any mention of her artificial leg. One of the main flaws in Good Country People is the hypocrisy of humans. On the contrary, he is the most deceptive and heartless person who deceives other people also. Previous Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. These names depict the meaning of their existence in the story-line. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. 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. 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. However, Hulga is irritated by the platitudes of the other ladies. Then after supper, Mrs. Hopewell excuses him to make him end the meeting. For instance, the surname for Joy and Mrs. Hopewell is Hopewell. He only uses religion to gain materialistic ends e.g. Complete your free account to request a guide. It questions the idea of goodness, what are the standards for good qualities and why are some people considered good or bad. She calls them "Glycerin" and "Caramel" (oily and sticky sweet). . Similarly, the whole storyline is judgmental about the standard of good and wrong. This makes her fall for Manleys good nature and agrees to show him her leg. Manley Pointer, on the other hand, is also on an existential journey. However, she is reluctant to tell them about her present date walk with him. For example, the name "Hopewell" (hope well) characterizes both the mother and her daughter. He does not care about anyone else. answer choices Hulga Carrame Slaves Glynese "Everything That Rises Must Converge". Hulga has a weak heart and probably does not have long to live, which is why she lives at home. Whenever the writer uses good for the people, she is judgmental about their realities and means the opposite of it. In-depth explanations of Good Country People's themes. On the contrary, he was the one who has entrapped her by admiring her for being a courageous girl due to her artificial leg. She hisses, "You're a fine Christian! That's life!". For example, Mrs. Hopewell is always hopeful about life. She admires her daughters before Hulga and Mrs. Hopewell because Mrs. Freeman likes to make Hulga feel inferior and ordinary. The way the content is organized and presented is seamlessly smooth, innovative, and comprehensive." Get LitCharts A + The daughter of Mrs. Hopewell, Hulga is intelligent, intellectual, and cynical. in the end, he is the one who fools her and leaves her helpless. 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 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. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. As young Pointer is leaving, he arranges to meet Hulga the following day, and the banal conversation between the two of them clearly illustrates Hulga's naivet. In this respect, OConnor represents a miniature of the everyday social life. 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. She also calls Hulga by her proper name when her mother is out of sight. 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. The second and most significant setting is the barn where the climax of Hulgas life occurs. Where was Flannery O'Connor born? Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Because both Hulga and her mother have accepted this false view of reality, each of them "hopes well" to tailor that world to meet her own needs Mrs. Hopewell by living in a world where clichs operate as truth, and Hulga by insisting that there is nothing behind, or beyond, the surface world.

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