“A Good Man Is Hard to Find” is a famous example of short stories in American literature. The story was written by Flannery O’Connor in 1955. Flannery O’Connor was actually born Mary Flannery O’Connor in 1925. She was considered an important person in American literature, with credits for writing two novels, over 30 short stories and various reviews and commentaries on other written works.
O’Connor was raised in the Bible belt and the influence of the area shows within her works. In “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” religion plays an enormous part in the story and why the Misfit does his evil deeds. O’Connor’s writing style is considered southern gothic and often reflects her own views on religious …show more content…
The Misfit and his henchmen are escaped convicts. The Misfit is fundamentally the complete opposite to the grandmother. He spends his time pondering life and how this all reflects on in his life. One of the most profound statements he says in the entire story is, “I ain’t a good man, but I ain’t the worst in the world neither,” (O’Conner, 1955, 117). With this one statement the character is stating that he does not think he is “good”, yet he also does not feel he is “bad” either. He simply lives in the grey area in-between either good or bad people. He has questioned the reality and ideology of Jesus and if he really brought people back from the dead. ““Jesus was the only One that ever raised the dead,” The Misfit continued, “and He shouldn’t have done it. He thown everything off balance.”” (O’Connor, 1955, 117). The Misfit is described as having scholarly glasses and a possible well educated background. He tells the grandmother, “I was raised by decent people.” (O’Connor, 1955, 117) In order to feel like his life has meaning he has chosen to be cruel to …show more content…
Bailey’s son John Wesley is described as a loud obnoxious boy. “John Wesley, a stocky child with glasses, said If you don’t want to go to Florida, why dontcha stay home?” (O’Connor, 1955, 117). He is written as having no problem expressing his feelings, whether it is against his grandmother or his distaste for the country folks in Georgia or Tennessee. The mother is basically overlooked and never really explored. The young woman’s face is described as broad and innocent, as plain as a cabbage. She has a plain cabbage face and no real commanding role within the story. She never really takes a stand one way or another. She also never argues with the grandmother about how she is just