New Criticism Analysis of O’Connor’s “Good Country People”
Deception is most successful when there is a grain of truth blended into the lie. If a large portion of the facts of a lie is perceived as true (or thought to be valid), individuals are more likely to explain away any inconsistencies as they emerge. In a way, individuals are blinded by the deception and actually talk themselves into believing the lie. Con artists use this strategy to mislead and cheat individuals to gain what they want; be it possessions, money or power. The most effective liars are those who seem to be trustworthy. The most effective liar of all is the Devil, the master of deception. The Devil masks who he truly is to misdirect others as found in the Bible, 2 Corinthians verse 11 chapter 14: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light,” (Holy Bible KJV). Satan often uses misrepresentation to his advantage.
In Flannery O’Connor’s story “Good Country People” the symbol of the Bible Salesman, Manley Pointer represents the persona of the Devil. Manley presents an image of faith and morality, appearing to be full …show more content…
Hulga believes wholeheartedly that he is a Christian when she accepts his invitation to go for a walk in the woods with him with plans to seduce him. During their walk they find a barn and climb into a hayloft to enjoy an intimate moment. However, her plan of seduction falls apart when Hulga discovers Manley is full of hypocrisy. After some passionate kissing, and after the removal of both her glasses and her prosthetic leg, “[he] took one of [the Bibles] out and opened the cover of it. It was hollow and contained a pocket flask of whiskey, a pack of cards, and a small blue box with printing on it,” (page 14). She was outraged and felt deceived. He was not a man of God at all, he was a
Deception is most successful when there is a grain of truth blended into the lie. If a large portion of the facts of a lie is perceived as true (or thought to be valid), individuals are more likely to explain away any inconsistencies as they emerge. In a way, individuals are blinded by the deception and actually talk themselves into believing the lie. Con artists use this strategy to mislead and cheat individuals to gain what they want; be it possessions, money or power. The most effective liars are those who seem to be trustworthy. The most effective liar of all is the Devil, the master of deception. The Devil masks who he truly is to misdirect others as found in the Bible, 2 Corinthians verse 11 chapter 14: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light,” (Holy Bible KJV). Satan often uses misrepresentation to his advantage.
In Flannery O’Connor’s story “Good Country People” the symbol of the Bible Salesman, Manley Pointer represents the persona of the Devil. Manley presents an image of faith and morality, appearing to be full …show more content…
Hulga believes wholeheartedly that he is a Christian when she accepts his invitation to go for a walk in the woods with him with plans to seduce him. During their walk they find a barn and climb into a hayloft to enjoy an intimate moment. However, her plan of seduction falls apart when Hulga discovers Manley is full of hypocrisy. After some passionate kissing, and after the removal of both her glasses and her prosthetic leg, “[he] took one of [the Bibles] out and opened the cover of it. It was hollow and contained a pocket flask of whiskey, a pack of cards, and a small blue box with printing on it,” (page 14). She was outraged and felt deceived. He was not a man of God at all, he was a