Upon finishing Flannery O’Connor’s short story, “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” I found my mind spinning with questions and emotions. The most striking aspect of this short story is O’Conner’s abrupt and violent ending to the story. Yet, upon closer examination, I believe that this ending helps to reveal some of the themes that O’Connor was presenting in the story. One of the most interesting themes that I found within the story was the idea of what makes someone a “good man” or a “lady”. I believe that O’Connor may be making commentary on society’s idea of what makes someone a “good man”. Many of the traits that are reflected upon as being good are actually just surface level and physical attributes. For example, the Grandmother wants people to know that she is a “lady,” therefore she dresses-up with her hat and dress. Yet, her actions throughout the story are selfish and prove her to be un-ladylike in some ways. This can be seen in the way she judges other people, sneaks the cat into the car and causes the accident, and is concerned with saving her own life, rather than those of her children and grandchildren. The Misfits also apologize for not wearing suits like a “good man” would. Yet, we know the Misfits are not actually good men because of the horrific crimes they commit. The conversation between the Misfits and the Grandmother at the end of the story ties it all together. I believe that O’Connor is making a commentary on how society is often too focused on the outward appearance of individuals. He wants the reader to realize how being a “good man” or “lady” cannot be defined by outward traits, but rather it is defined in actions.
Works Cited
O’Connor, Flannery. “A Good Man is Hard to Find”. 1955. Style Tone and Language. 280-291.
