What is the relationship between Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Hopewell? To what extent are their names significant? What does the name change from Joy to Hulga suggest about Mrs. Hopewell’s daughter?
Mrs. Freeman, the domineering maid, and Mrs. Hopewell the house-owner have an interesting connection. While it could potentially be considered a rivalry for the attention of others (primarily the attention of Hulga). The overbearing nature of Mrs. Freeman is the major influence over the household and in a sense – is the dominant member of the house. Both ‘Hopewell’ and ‘Freeman’ are literal representations of the nature of the character they pertain to. Despite being a maid, Mrs. Freeman had jurisdiction over the affairs of the home. Mrs. Hopewell, does …show more content…
Is her satirical treatment of these characters justified? To what extent is the writer justified in using satire as an artistic weapon? The oversimplification of the characters into concepts of ‘good people’ is used to point out issues that may not be addressed otherwise. Such as the lack of inquiry into personality traits that might be present in characters, but are dismissed by their friendly demeanor. O’Connor’s manner of satirizing aspects of the different characters is justified, it draws attention to the superficial niceties they display. Authors are permitted to use whatever tactics needed to properly portray their intent, including satire which commonly points out the flaws of a given situation. How does O’Connor characterize the grandmother? What do we learn about her from her conversation with the Misfit? What do we learn about him? What is his favorite saying, and what sense do you make of …show more content…
This can be seen by the beginning of the story, where Julian’s mother is fussing with her hat and later is resolved by her son making a remark that upset her, regarding the other woman who wore the same adornment. In another meaning, by applying the name their last name of Godhigh, it could potentially be a reference to the fact that at the end of the story Julian’s values are probably closer to his mother’s now that she has died. The word “Must” in the title is used in the sense that if one is on the fence about values and how to apply them, as is the case with Julian, it is impossible to remain in the limbo between two conflicting sets of
Mrs. Freeman, the domineering maid, and Mrs. Hopewell the house-owner have an interesting connection. While it could potentially be considered a rivalry for the attention of others (primarily the attention of Hulga). The overbearing nature of Mrs. Freeman is the major influence over the household and in a sense – is the dominant member of the house. Both ‘Hopewell’ and ‘Freeman’ are literal representations of the nature of the character they pertain to. Despite being a maid, Mrs. Freeman had jurisdiction over the affairs of the home. Mrs. Hopewell, does …show more content…
Is her satirical treatment of these characters justified? To what extent is the writer justified in using satire as an artistic weapon? The oversimplification of the characters into concepts of ‘good people’ is used to point out issues that may not be addressed otherwise. Such as the lack of inquiry into personality traits that might be present in characters, but are dismissed by their friendly demeanor. O’Connor’s manner of satirizing aspects of the different characters is justified, it draws attention to the superficial niceties they display. Authors are permitted to use whatever tactics needed to properly portray their intent, including satire which commonly points out the flaws of a given situation. How does O’Connor characterize the grandmother? What do we learn about her from her conversation with the Misfit? What do we learn about him? What is his favorite saying, and what sense do you make of …show more content…
This can be seen by the beginning of the story, where Julian’s mother is fussing with her hat and later is resolved by her son making a remark that upset her, regarding the other woman who wore the same adornment. In another meaning, by applying the name their last name of Godhigh, it could potentially be a reference to the fact that at the end of the story Julian’s values are probably closer to his mother’s now that she has died. The word “Must” in the title is used in the sense that if one is on the fence about values and how to apply them, as is the case with Julian, it is impossible to remain in the limbo between two conflicting sets of