Shirley Miranda – Discussion 13

Raymond Carver’s idea that ordinary things can hold great power with simple language is shown well in A Good Man Is Hard To Find by Flannery O’Connor. The story seems to be like it’s just about a family trip, but the grandmother’s simple comments reveal a lot about her character. For example, when she says, “In my time, children were more respectful of their native states and their parents and everything else,” she’s just talking about the past, but it shows her judgmental attitude and how she feels disconnected from the present. This quote stood out to me because it shows how the grandmother thinks she’s better than others. The simple words don’t need anything fancy to show her superiority. O’Connor uses everyday moments, like the grandmother talking about respect, to show something deeper about who she is. It made me realize that simple language can have a strong impact by revealing character and emotion clearly.