A Good Man Is Hard To Find Short Story Essay

Two more pertinent points are made by the author, in regards to the grandmother, follow in quick succession; both allude to further yet-to-be seen gloom within the story. O’Connor writes of the grandmother “[s]he didn’t intend for the cat to be left alone in the house for three days because he would miss her too much and she was afraid he might brush against one of the gas burners and accidentally asphyxiate himself” (1043) and of the way she is dressed “[i]n case of an accident, anyone seeing her dead on the highway would know at once that she was a lady” (1043). These two observations are innocent enough on the surface but provide true intent on the foreshadowing that O’Connor uses throughout the story. It is these two devices, irony and foreshadowing, that I feel are prominent and important aspects of the story and are evidenced in my quest to decipher this story.

There were about six graves fenced, which was a factor indicating foreshadowing. And when John Wesley asked about where the plantation was, the grandmother replied, "Gone With the Wind," which was foretelling their demise. Red Sammy also narrated about "Two fellers come in here last week" in an "old beat up car." These people were the Misfit's goons, and they were offered free gasoline from Red Sammy's store, probably because of his fear that he was dealing with notorious killers. Red Sammy's wife also gave a warning by saying, "I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he didn't attact this place right here." This was a self-explanatory caution signal give by the store owners which was ignored. The family was in a town named as "Toombsboro," which name itself was a sign of foreshadowing.

Southern family preparing to go on what seems to be a typical vacation. The story is humorous at first because the reader is unaware of how the story will end. The tone changes dramatically from amusing to frightening and plays an important part in making the story effective.

When an author writes a story, he or she will generally use different writing techniques to create the piece. These techniques have the ability to turn a story into something truly unique, as they allow the story to unfold in it’s own way. In the short story “A Good Man is Hard to Find”, author Flannery O’Connor used the techniques of symbolism and foreshadowing throughout the entire piece to create a deeply captivating story, as so many of the details mentioned in the beginning of the story are glimpses of the end.

In the short story A Good Man Is Hard to Find, written by Flannery O’Connor, the theme that the definition of a ‘good man’ is mysterious and flawed is apparent. The reader must realize that it is difficult to universalize the definition of a good man because every person goes through different experiences. Thus, these experiences affect his or her viewpoint and in turn flaw ones view on a good man. O’Connor conveys this theme through her excellent use of diction, imagery, foreshadowing, and symbolism as well as through a creative use of repetition and an omniscient point of view.

in "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" Flannery O' Connor uses symbolism to give more meaning to her short story. O'Connor writes a story of a Grandmother versus a Misfit, or good versus evil. This short story is about a family going to Florida, who takes a turn down a dirt road, which only causes them to get in an accident, and be found by the Misfit. This encounter prevented them from ever arriving Florida, because the Misfit ends their lives. Using symbolism, O'Connor creates a story with much meaning to the Grandmother, nature, sky, woods, their surroundings, roads, and cars to portray the constant battle between good and evil.

     One of the most important scenes in the story takes place in the vehicle. The grandmother spots an old family graveyard that once belonged to a plantation. She tells the children that the graves

“A Good Man Is Hard to Find” and “Good Country People” are two of many short stories by Flannery O’Connor. In addition, the two stories enfold a mystery ending in catastrophe. O’Connor uses plenty of irony or subtle kind of sarcasm in developing each of the stories. Coincidentally, “A Good Man Is Hard To Find” and “Good Country People” are both set in the South during the earlier years, when segregation was an issue and trust was not. “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” and “Good Country People” are two ironically twisted tales of how two different families lives are altered after trusting and being mislead by a stranger.

Some central motifs and take away from the story is God's grace, violence, and cruelty. O'Connor is know for her southern gothic style of fiction. The story begins innocently, a grandmother complaining about going to Florida and not Tennessee for vacation; packed in a car with her son Bailey, his wife, and their children. Some way along the drive they take a wrong turn, crash

Grandma, I believe it is all her making and doing. She brought the family to the situation. She provoked the Killer. The killer's statements about his life especially his own father reflects he too was subject to religious questions. and the fact that the lifestyles of the southern whites were descending is evidence of society's "demise" is blended into the story, and presented through an interesting generation gap.

O’Connor seems extremely concerned with her values and the direction of the youth of the grandmother’s time. She believed that Christ was no longer enough of a priority to the people of her

They sat in a ditch trying to catch their breath and hoped that a car would eventually come to their rescue. As the car of The Misfit appeared in the distance, “The grandma stood up and waved both arms dramatically to attract their attention.” (931), hoping that they would help them out. When The Misfit and his two accomplices stepped out of the car, she had a bad feeling about them, but when she realize who they truly were, it was already too late. Once again, the grandmother had gotten her family and herself into the worst kind of trouble, and there was nothing to stop what would happen

The reader starts to realize that the grandmother is someone that tends to get their way. Or, that they will continue to be a nuisance. What occurs is not what the grandmother intended so she begrudgingly goes about her business making it a point not to be left behind also be dressed to the nine’s. She takes pride in her appearance and Flannery lets the readers know this by stating, “anybody seeing her dead on the highway would know that she was a lady." (O 'Connor). Still the foreshadowing of death and turmoil looms but this was also a lot of writing styles during this time.

There were many clues as to what was unfolding during the story, although one would have trouble noticing them upon initial reading. The first of the clues was, of coarse, the mentioning of “The Misfit’s” escaping from prison. As the family was eating at a small restaurant the second clue was given. The owner was discusing with grandmother the criminal nature the society has compared to the old day an example was three men had stolen gas from him only a few days earlier. The next clue came after grandmother and the children persuaded Bailey to turn off the main road in search of the old plantation home. The road had not been driven on in months, suggesting the perfect, deserted, hiding places for escaped prisoners.

Foreshadowing is used many times in this story. O’Connor mainly uses foreshadowing in the grandmother’s storyline as I will describe. In the beginning of the story, the grandmother thought to herself about the possibility of how the family would look if they wrecked their car and how she wanted to be found dressed up and looking like a lady. Therefore, the grandmother took it upon herself and dressed in nice clothes in anticipation of the foreshadowed accident. This is just one of the ways foreshadowing is used; another way is when the grandmother tries talking the family out of going to Florida because The Misfit is down there. Her direct