Good Country People Character Analysis

Register to read the introduction… Manley also tells her that “ [h]e wants to devote his life to Christian Service… and become a missionary because he thinks that is the way he can do most for people”(511-512). He even starts to talk nonsense, telling her about how his family is struggling and that he is basically on his own in the world. Everything that comes out of his mouth is sad or is something that makes anyone has pity for him. As soon as he enter the Hopewell’s home evil fills the home. His name, Manley Pointer, is a phallic name meaning he wants sex from someone. As Manley enters the home he will not leave unless he leaves with something and that something is Hulga. This is where Manley starts displaying his serpent like traits, “when he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”(John 8:44). As Manley constantly talks he never once told the truth throughout the story, until the end. Though, not everything he says is an absolute lie but he has crafty way of stretching telling the truth. When he says he has a heart condition he is actually, telling the truth because he has weak heart that is filled with hate and evil. Now that he has knowledge and gains trust from the family, he can now bestow his evil ways upon …show more content…
As the serpent in the Bible gained the trust of Eve and in the end her soul was destroyed. It did not take him long to fool her and gain her trust, it did not take him long to take the most important thing from her. Like the serpent taught Eve a lesson, “Manley Pointer is teaching Joy-Hulga Hopewell more lessons than she ever learned in college”(Oliver par. 8). As Manley takes Hulga away from her home, which is taking her out her comfort zone, and taking her into the ‘real’ world, he starts to slowly rob her of her mind, body and soul. He seduces her and makes her feel even more comfortable with him. To gain control of her he tells her to him that she loves him, which she does. Now that he has control over her, he can now make her do whatever he wishes. Last but not least he asks for her leg (soul). Hulga is very dependent of her leg and it is the most important thing to her. Hulga gives in and takes it off and Manley takes it and put it in his briefcase with his other prosthetics (souls). Manley’s suitcase symbolizes hell where he keeps his souls and other evilness, like liquor, sex cards, and medicine in a small box. He leaves by informing Hulga that he is just like her, he too does not believe in