O’Connor believes that if you reveal the plot of the story, readers will focus on the deeper meaning of the story. The short story “A Good Man Is Hard to Find”, O’Connor explores the complexities of human nature through each character. The grandmother, who comes off as the sweet southern Christian old lady that seems as if she could never do wrong, leads her family into the Misfit, a murderer accidentally. In her last few moments, she prays and relies on faith, however she still cannot see her wrongdoings. This is an example of irony, because she has a self righteous attitude. O’Connor explores themes of sin, morality, violence and human nature. The Misfit, who is supposed to be a violent killer has a vulnerable moment with the grandmother, however he serves as a character to symbolize the absence of remorse, and to be a “godless” individual. Although the family dies in the end, O’Connor’s use of symbolism, religion and irony allow readers to examine the characters and how they relate to each theme. The title “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” is relevant to the moral of the story, which is that there is no definite line between good and evil.
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