A Good Man is Hard to Find - Essay Example

Comparison of “A good Man is hard to find” and "The Man Who Was Almost a Man” The passage, “A Man Who Was Almost A Man” tells a story of Dave. He thought that just because he has turned seventeen, he has now become a man and must prove it to others so that they can respect him (Wright, 2015). The best way to earn their respect, he thought was by buying a gun and shooting some mule. He also thought that having a gun would protect him from the bad boys. After he shot Jenny and his parents found out, he was remorseful.

Then, when he heard of the punishment, he went for the gun so he could prove to both Jim Hawkins and his parents that he was now almost a man. He was demanding respect because he thought that he was almost a man and should be respected irrespective.The story of “A Good Man is Hard To Find” speaks ironically of how hard it was to find a good man. The irony comes out clearly from the start to the end of the story. The grandmother is trying to draw the son’s attention about why they should not go to Florida as usual but should change to east Tennessee.

She was reading a journal about the man “Misfit” and the harm he was causing. According to the report “Misfit” was headed to Florida that same day. She had thought it would be a good idea to let her son read the article as well. Bailey instead ignored his mother and did not even care to look at the article. Later, as they travel to Florida, they get an accident and the “Misfit” comes across them. He kills the whole family just like he does.The two stories, “A man who was almost a man” and “A good man is hard to find” both reveal the character of the two men in question.

They were big headed and disobedience. Dave did not listen to his mother that he should not get a gun. Instead, he thought that a gun would protect his title –almost a man. In his quest to protect his image, he killed Jenny. Bailey on the other hand, could not listen to his mother. Even when she spoke, Bailey kept ignoring her. He thought that now he was a grown man and did not need his mother’s advice. In the end, the whole family perished under “Misfit’s” hands. Their deaths would have been avoided had Bailey listened to his mother and read the article prior to their departure from their house.

The two stories teach us to always listen to our parents. We should not be big headed even when we mature up. Our parents and guardians always mean well and have our best interest at heart.References Billingsley, ReShonda Tate. A Good Man Is Hard To Find. New York: Gallery Books, 2011. Print. Wright, R. (2015). The Man Who Was Almost A Man. Retrived from: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~DRBR2/wright.htm