"Good Country People" is a short story that intrigues readers by O'Connor's usage of symbolism, irony, and themes of appearances, realities, class, and superiority. O'Connor's symbolism in the choice of her characters' names centers on their personalities and demeanors. Throughout the story, the characters have different personalities than their names imply and do not symbolize their true character. The story illustrates the irony of the phrase "good country people" and how people are often the opposite of who they are by the way they present themselves. O'Connor exposes the flaws of human nature and teaches a moral lesson for readers of not judging a book by its cover.
