Exploring Flannery O'Connor's Themes and Symbolism in "A Good Man Is Hard to Find
Dive into Flannery O'Connor's dark and profound world as she delves into salvation, violence, and faith in her renowned work "A Good Man Is Hard to Find." Uncover the intricate layers of symbolism, archetypes, and moral dilemmas portrayed in her stories through a close reading and analysis of key elements and characters.
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A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND EVERYTHING THAT RISES MUST CONVERGE FLANNERY O CONNOR AUTHOR STUDY
FLANNERY OCONNOR (1925-1964) (O Connor had) penchant for depicting salvation through a shocking, often violent experience undergone by characters who are spiritually or physically grotesque"
A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND In response to criticisms of "A Good Man Is Hard to Find," O'Connor herself justified the use of terror to shock spiritually complacent modern readers: "To the hard of hearing you shout and for the almost blind you draw large and startling figures." Flannery O Connor Violence and suffering are essential elements in a faithless world marred by Original Sin.
CLOSE READING: RE-VISITING JUNGIAN ARCHETYPES Explore the following archetypes present in the story and explain the significance of each. the journey the Tower - To what is this a literary allusion? Red Sammy the description of the plantation the grandmother calling him "one of my own children The Misfit's perception of the grandmother's touch as a snake bite - To what is this a biblical/literary allusion?
CLOSE READING: 10. In an essay, "A Reasonable Use of the Unreasonable," O'Connor argues that just before the grandmother's death "Her head clears for an instant and she realizes, even in her limited way, that she is responsible for the man before her and joined to him by ties of kinship...And at this point she does the right thing, she makes the right gesture." Compare these comments with your own sense of the climactic scene. Does her commentary change your understanding of the story? 11. In the same essay, O'Connor argues that not only is The Misfit more intelligent than the grandmother but his "capacity for grace" is greater than hers. Do you agree with this remark? Why or why not?
CLOSE READING: POINT OF VIEW What is the point of view of this story? At what point does it change (out of necessity)? Describe it once it does change. How/Why might this be significant? What social commentary is realized through this narrative device?
MORAL GOODNESS The quality of facilitating genuine happiness and fulfillment and the deepest flourishing of human life.
CLOSE READING: A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND Define foil. What is the literary function of a foil? Who serves as a foil to whom in "A Good Man is Hard to Find"? What qualities of the main character are thereby illuminated by the foil?
WRITING EXTENSION EXERCISE: "A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND" Apply the following prompt to "A Good Man is Hard to Find" and write an insightful outline that creates a critical context:
In a literary work, a minor character, often known as a foil, possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast or comparison, the distinctive characteristics and qualities of the main character. For example, the ideas or behavior of a minor character might be used to highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character. Choose a novel or play in which a minor character serves as a foil for the main character. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the relation between the minor character and the major character illuminates the meaning of the work.
EVERYTHING THAT RISES MUST CONVERGE A STORY ABOUT THE GENERATION GAP BETWEEN RACISM AND OPENNESS ON THE SURFACE, BUT (A CLOSER READ REVEALS) THE THEME OF UNDERSTANDING ANY PERSON'S VIEWS.
PHILOSOPHICAL PRINCIPLE Is Julian virtuous? Social Contract Theory How does Southern Gothic Fiction address this theory? Social Conduct v. Inner Thoughts
APPEARANCE REALITY Boredom Buster Game
CHARACTERIZATION Mother Julian r
SYMBOLS Penny Hat
EVERYTHING THAT RISES MUST CONVERGE 1. Why is it significant that Julian's mother and Carver's mother are wearing identical hats? How does this coincidence help elucidate the theme? 2. How does O'Connor use humor effectively in the story? Isolate (2) passages you found particularly humorous and consider the ways in which these passages represent a serious intention on the author's part.
EVERYTHING THAT RISES MUST CONVERGE 3. In the concluding paragraphs, Julian undergoes a remarkable change. What is the nature of this change, or "epiphany," and what does it say about him? In what ways will he be a different person in his future life? 4. Compare the ending of this story to that of "A Good Man is Hard to Find." How are the endings similar?
