Flannery O'Connors Good Country People - Book Report/Review Example

Flannery O'Connor’s Good Country People Imperfections are the inherent misconceptions of human nature. In Flannery O'Connor's "Good Country People", using symbolism, O'Connor exemplifies the validities of physical and psychological problems, in addition to how unhesitatingly these flaws are taken advantage of by society. This essay will predominantly focus on what "Good Country People” says about the imperfections of life as portrayed by the book. The central symbol in the account is Joy Hopewell's artificial leg.

At the age of ten, she lost her leg in a hunting accident and as a result Joy becomes imperfect, not only physically but in her personal as well. The leg personifies both Joy/Hulga's virility and the rigidity of her soul. Owing to her handicap, she believes in nothing and coldly cuts all emotional bonds to life "as a good surgeon scrapes for cancer" (141). At one point she was her mother's Joy, but resolving that the "dust" (132) of her presence warrants "the ugliest name in any language," (132) disposes of the name her mother christened her and baptizes herself "Hulga".

The name and the statement "If you want me, here I am- LIKE I AM" (131) communicates Hulga's portrayal of herself to the world. She deems most people as doomed by their own stupidity and gratifies in causing their pain. Mrs. Freeman, who, as her name intimates, is not impelled by others' outlooks, earns Hulga's abhorrence because Hulga "had found that it was not possible to be rude to her," (132) and thus derives no satisfaction from her. Hulga's mindset embodies the radical effect that a flaw, whether actual or imagined, has on action and perception.

The exploit of deception to realize one's appeals is exhibited through Manley Pointer. His presentation as "good country people" (135) earns Mrs. Hopewell's immediate trust, for she believes he is "the salt of the earth" (135). With the poise of his heart condition, he lures her trust further, as Hulga is diagnosed with the same ailment. He also stresses his devotion to "Christian service" (135) with the purpose of selling a few Bibles. The phallic inference of the name "Manley Pointer" symbolizes the masculine sexuality with which he hoodwinks Hulga.

Manley Pointer stands for the hard-heartedness and callousness that every man, woman, and child employs to get what he or she desires.the imperfections of humanity.The stigmatic stereotypes committed to social class are also shown throughout the story. "Good country people" (135) are taken as downtrodden, good-hearted children incapable of cognizant thought. For Mrs. Hopewell, the subsistence of simple people is a reprieve and she moans that "there aren't enough good country people in the world" (135). Mrs. Hopewell emphasizes that prying Mrs.

Freeman is a lady for in Mrs. Hopewell's world, nothing can dishearten the advantages of "the salt of the earth" (135). If Manley Pointer had revealed his hometown was a large city, Mrs. Hopewell would not have let him into her home. Hulga's education provides her a sense of superior enlightenment. She believes she has triumphed in the seduction of Manley while he is in fact outsmarting her. Even if subconsciously, Hulga counts on his background as verification that she is safe with him. As Manley's deceptiveness becomes seeming to her, she tries to appeal to his presumed simplicity by prompting him that he is "just good country people" (142).

As illustrated in the story, there is no safety against human nature. At some point, each person learns that life in a dispirited society obliges the anticipation of deception. However educated and experienced people are, no person can be prepared for meanness or malice. Through the symbolism in her story, O'Connor communicates a lesson on flawed humanity that is more prized and invaluable than Hulga's Ph.D., "that is life" (131).Works Cited