A good man is indeed hard to find. Flannery O’Connor is a strong believer in faith, and in this short story, she makes speculations about society and human nature. Using the character the grandmother in the tale, she exhibits her as a representation of all her observations about the inherent characteristics in people. A Good Man is Hard to Find questions the true qualities of human nature and sends readers messages that are most likely ignored and almost never uttered out loud. From this cynical tale, Flanery O’Connor conveys human nature relating to misconception, selfishness, and transformation.
Through the grandmother’s misguided definition of a “good man,” Flannery O’Connor points out the human nature of misconception. In the story, the …show more content…
You ought not to shoot a lady!” The grandmother in this passage demonstrates the characteristic of being selfish for trying to save herself; thus forming the question, “Are all humans inherently egotistic?” Flannery O’Connor is perhaps merely suggesting yes, and that when people were brought into this world, a certain fixed formula of selfishness was developed in each individual. Then again, the fact that the grandmother never once relinquished begging for her life also suggests that selfishness is the very drive for the desire to survive in life. In fact, the grandmother sees herself as the center of the universe and is constantly within her own mind, body, and life. However, being selfish doesn’t necessarily mean that humans do not possess the capacity for sacrifice. The fact that individuals’ actions are all motivated by a selfish feeling proves so. In times where one puts others before themself and makes sacrifices, is when one feels the need to act upon their selfish reasons for, for example, sycophancy or love. All in all, Flannery O’Connor is indicating that the grandmother’s actions would have been similar to that of anyone’s because selfishness exists in everyone. The only difference to her actions was that she didn’t feel like she particularly has a legitimate reason to sacrifice
Through the grandmother’s misguided definition of a “good man,” Flannery O’Connor points out the human nature of misconception. In the story, the …show more content…
You ought not to shoot a lady!” The grandmother in this passage demonstrates the characteristic of being selfish for trying to save herself; thus forming the question, “Are all humans inherently egotistic?” Flannery O’Connor is perhaps merely suggesting yes, and that when people were brought into this world, a certain fixed formula of selfishness was developed in each individual. Then again, the fact that the grandmother never once relinquished begging for her life also suggests that selfishness is the very drive for the desire to survive in life. In fact, the grandmother sees herself as the center of the universe and is constantly within her own mind, body, and life. However, being selfish doesn’t necessarily mean that humans do not possess the capacity for sacrifice. The fact that individuals’ actions are all motivated by a selfish feeling proves so. In times where one puts others before themself and makes sacrifices, is when one feels the need to act upon their selfish reasons for, for example, sycophancy or love. All in all, Flannery O’Connor is indicating that the grandmother’s actions would have been similar to that of anyone’s because selfishness exists in everyone. The only difference to her actions was that she didn’t feel like she particularly has a legitimate reason to sacrifice