The element of suspense in the story of O’Connor “A Good Man is Hard to Find” is definitely present in its interior. It is not just a story about a family of six with Grandmother presented as evil. Although it is indeed true that neither her intellect nor grace is comparable to that of Misfit, there is something special about her that makes her not solely a negative character (O’Connor 97). This special lies not on the surface but in the interior of the story, on the level that can be called Divine and invisible for a superficial reader. The Christian view of the world makes the story deeper and leaves this element of suspense after the final encounter of the Grandmother and Misfit. The seconds before her death, she opens her heart for compassion and thus, not only demonstrates this ‘good heart’ but appears to influence Misfit as well. At the end of the narrative, he admits that the violence does not give him pleasure. As O’Connor states herself, the violence in her story is a way to make the characters ready to accept their moment of grace (98). The suspense of the story remains in the possible beginning of Misfit’s transformation. Moreover, it is not only about Misfit as a character but about humanity as a whole. Therefore, the suspense lies in the inner self of the Grandmother, and its ability to affect other antagonists and the world.
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One thought on “MOHAMED KITCHELAN DISCUSSION WEEK 8”
Mohamed, this is such an insightful and clearly written discussion of the “interior” of the story. I especially appreciate your mention of the change in the Misfit after the Grandmother’s one moment of grace and compassion. Killing no longer gives him pleasure. This reminds me in a strange way of when the boy in “Araby” loses the light of fantasy in his life. What will he do now? And what will the Misfit do? As O’Connor writes, she hopes the moment with the grandmother will become like a thorn in his heart and lead him to become “the prophet he was meant to be.” Grace, the author believes, is mysterious and transforms everyone who is touched by it. There are many readers who are not religious and do not accept the author’s interpretation of her own story. You are clearly not in this group, but I think the story can have meaning for nonreligious people as well.