In the case of “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” the interior of the story is complex and multilayered. One of the central themes of the story is the concept of grace, which is represented by the grandmother’s moment of recognition of The Misfit’s humanity before her death. The story suggests that grace is available to everyone, even those who have committed terrible acts, but it can only be attained through an understanding of our own flawed humanity and the humanity of others. The story also explores the idea of the South as a region with a dark history and a legacy of violence and racism. The grandmother’s nostalgia for the old plantation house, which represents a time when slavery was still legal, can be seen as a symbol of the South’s troubled past. Another important aspect of the story’s interior is its use of grotesque and violent imagery. The story’s shocking and brutal events serve to highlight the darkness and evil that can exist within human beings. This imagery also serves to underscore the story’s bleak view of the human condition.
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4 thoughts on “Rashad Greaves Discussion 8”
There is so much to soak in from this story’s interior, including that moment of grace people experience in dire circumstances that O’Connor wants us to recognize in those last words said by the grandmother, which you describe very well as her recognizing his humanity. One thing I was focused on while reading was O’Connor’s depiction of the South and its’ history, and the grandmother’s connection to that history. I wonder if O’Connor intentionally did this so readers, then and now, would create an opinion on the South’s dark past and the judicial system.
I agree with your view on grace and the story being complex. I too felt there were so many interior views, that it was hard to see just one. What I found to be interesting about the ending of the story, as brutal as it was – was that it was swift, with no explanation of the killings. Why did he target them? The Misfit states that he and his crew saw the accident happen. He didn’t need clothing, he does state no one ever had anything he wanted – but he took Bailey’s shirt after he was killed. He could’ve taken his clothing from the suitcase. I believe, diving deeper into this story, that there was so much left unsaid. The bleak view on human condition is 100% highlighted with the murders, since there is no clear “explanation” for them to be murdered.
I agree with you that the story is indeed complex and multilayered. The theme of grace is a central one and is represented by the grandmother’s moment of recognition of The Misfit’s humanity before her death. This recognition is significant because it demonstrates that even those who have committed terrible acts can still be deserving of grace.
Rashad, I’m asking students to stay off the Internet for discussions of our readings. This may seem an odd request from a professor, but in these forums, I do not want researched information, which would include, for example, reference to “the South as a region with a dark history and a legacy of violence and racism.” This may be an element in the story, but it is something that would be gleaned by doing online searches.