For instance, the surname for Joy and Mrs. Hopewell is Hopewell. Disillusioned, Hulga tries to reach her wooden leg (soul) only to have Pointer easily push her down. Hulga sees herself as superior to and more intelligent than the men in the area, showing that she too sees a clear hierarchy of people with herself at the top. Since she has surrendered her leg (now functioning emblematically as her soul) to Pointer, Hulga feels "entirely dependent on him.". This keeps the readers in close connection with the storyline narrated from a limited mental perspective, thus maintaining simplicity and ease. Continue with Recommended Cookies. In "Good Country People," how does Hulga feel about her wooden leg. Its suggested that something romantic passed between Hulga and the Bible Salesman outside, and Hulga wants to avoid her mothers nosy questions about it. His religious devotion even shames Mrs. Hopewell into claiming (falsely) that she has a Bible at her bedside. She thinks that her way of life would ultimately turn out to be better for herself and others. Even though the kiss causes an extra surge of adrenaline, like that which "enables one to carry a packed trunk out of a burning house," Hulga is now convinced that nothing exceptional happened and that everything is "a matter of the mind's control.". Some characters consider themselves superior to others while others do not recognize where they stand in life. -Louis XIV. In "Good Country People," why does Joy change her name to Hulga? He has also taken other peoples important things as his commodity. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1725 titles we cover. She is married to Lyman and is pregnant. and let's eat.". His personality resembles that of the hollow Bible because his exterior is so simple and pure but there is nothing inside. For him, existence is making others uncomfortable and inferior to feel superiority himself. This supernatural power metaphorically functioned as the strings between the puppet master (the mind) and the puppet (the body). She is used to reading a lot and prefers to live in isolation. Hulgas wooden leg is considered her uniqueness throughout her life. His religious beliefs are as hollow as the hollow Bible he has. In a moment of seemingly immense insight, Hulga lashed out at her mother, yelling, "We are not our own light!" Hulgas education is connected to her lack of faith in God, especially in the mind of her mother. Moreover, through the use of third-person omniscient narrative, the author judges the standard for good qualities and good people, therefore, elevating the importance of the title Good Country People. It was written within just four days and it turned out to be one of her most celebrated works. She wants to stay alone and away from her home and pursue her teaching career. For example, the name "Hopewell" (hope well) characterizes both the mother and her daughter. Mrs. Hopewell likes to praise Glynese and Carramae by telling people that they are "two of the finest girls" she knows, and she also praises their mother, Mrs. Freeman, as a lady whom "she was never ashamed to take . This irritates Hulga but pleases Mrs. Freeman. In the story, "Good Country People," there are many themes; however, the main theme is identity. Manley Pointer, on the other hand, is also on an existential journey. However, she is reluctant to tell them about her present date walk with him. He also carries his briefcase along with him. dinner which Mrs. Hopewell does not approve of. The Bible Salesman has drawn Hulgas attention by being differentmore sincere, she thinksthan the other people Hulga knows, and by directly commenting on her artificial leg. By dividing the story into four loosely distinct sections, O'Connor is able to establish subtle parallels between the characters of Mrs. Freeman and Manley Pointer (a traveling Bible salesman) and between Mrs. Hopewell and her daughter, Hulga, while at the same time providing details which appear to emphasize the different facets of the four individual characters. He didnt want to go to college, he just wanted to sell Bibles. their daughters and the weather. The three leading women, Mrs. Freeman, Mrs. Hopewell, and Hulga encounter each other there thrice a day. Mrs. Hopewell reluctantly invites him for supper as she finds in him a person who resembles Joy due to his heart disease. Existence in the story is a multi-natured phenomenon. In the story, the main characters exhibit such features explicitly. However, Manleys personality is revealed at the end when he takes away Hulgas most important part (her leg) just like tricking her dear feelings. Also, we can trace the year of happening from Harvey Hills car who is the suitor of Glynese. It is precisely Hulga's Ph.D. degree in philosophy which creates a major problem between the two women. On his entrance in the story, his main purpose is to mock Mrs. Hopewells superior status. Manley Pointer plays his role by removing Hulga's leg and setting it out of her reach. Likewise, the experienced and independent Mrs. Hopewell is blind to see the antagonism of Mrs. Freeman for herself. The arrival of nineteen-year-old Manley Pointer, Bible salesman and con artist, is presented in highly realistic terms by O'Connor. She does not make a distinction between good and bad people based on their character but judges them on the basis of their class. Choose the correct pronoun from those shown in parentheses. As she says that Manleys observation of her is like encountering a new fantastic animal at the zoo. As OConnor says, A story is a way to say something that cant be said any other way, and it takes every word in the story to say what the meaning is. The story Good Country People is a compact and beautiful piece of work that materializes her statement by making it unique and interesting. He wishes to take away her most crucial part i.e. This mention of a heart disease, paralleling Hulga's heart trouble, has a marked effect on Mrs. Hopewell, and she invites him to stay for dinner even though she is "sorry the instant she heard herself say it." ", Hulga's manner of dress also contributes to the vast misunderstanding that exists between the two women. As she believes in his goodness, she negates her thoughts on life. . The title of the story, Good Country People, is meant to be read ironically. Hulga is completely unprepared for any kind of romantic date, and immediately assumes the worstthat the Bible Salesman wont show up. Ironically, she is dumped by one of those low minded people in the surrounding. Hulga makes eggs while her mother considers how she probably should not have earned a Ph.D. in philosophy, since it has not brought her any good. Manage Settings "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Why were the Wakatsukis sent to Manzanar? They enter a barn to sit down, and climb up a ladder to the loft. He says that his disbelief in any religion is bigger than her disapproval of religious institutions and runs away. Mrs. Hopewell tells Manley, I think there arent enough good country people in the world! Manley packs up her wooden leg and his other possessions in his valise. Hulga Hopewell of "Good Country People" is a unique character in O'Connor's fictional world. This misfortune is compounded by a doctor's opinion that Hulga will not live past forty because of a heart condition; furthermore, Hulga has been deprived of ever dancing and having what Mrs. Hopewell calls a "normal good time.". The concept of good country people recurs throughout the story, referring to Mrs. Hopewells view that there is a certain kind of person who lives out in the country and is a simple, moral person. The Bible Salesman, who claims to be devout, turns out to be hiding alcohol, condoms, and pornography inside a hollowed-out Bible. Throughout the dinner, Pointer stares at Hulga, who eats rapidly, clears the table, and leaves the room. The easygoing chatter between Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman contrasts with Hulgas sense of seriousness about life. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Her fake leg also denotes her crippled identity that is in a confusion of nothingness and superiority complex. Hulga is in constant contact with a vain but simple-minded mother and an apparently simple-minded but shrewd hired woman. The Bible Salesman now starts acting strange and possessive, as it becomes more apparent that he is a kind of collectorof both love confessions and of other peoples most intimate possessions. Hulga has a weak heart and probably does not have long to live, which is why she lives at home. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. "Good country people" refers to those whom Mrs. Hopewell sees as simple and moral. The final irony in the story involves Mrs. Freeman's response: "Some can't be that simple. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# Therefore, she lives in the illusion that she considers reality. During the date, he persuades her to go up into the barn loft where he persuades her to remove her prosthetic leg and takes her glasses. As the story is structured in the Southern part of the state, some factors depict the south gothic nature of the short story. Joy nicknames her Glycerin that predicts the lightness of her and her sisters character. What statement is Flannery OConnor trying to make by having Manley hide sexual items behind the cover of a Bible? She asks him to roll up her pants and see where her leg attaches. Good Country People by Flannery O'Connor Start Free Trial Questions & Answers Characters Analysis Critical Essays Multiple-Choice Quizzes PDF Downloads Lesson Plans Good Country People. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'litpriest_com-banner-1','ezslot_1',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-litpriest_com-banner-1-0');However, Joy does not pay attention to him after greeting him. Their relationship seems to be moving towards the possibility of love in the beginning, but they part in a huge disillusionment later on. However, her illusion is shattered by the fraud of Manley who removes her wooden leg leaving her useless. Manley Pointer. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Joy is an atheist and has a Ph.D. in philosophy but seems non-sensible to her mother, and in an act of rebellion against her mother, Joy changed her name to "Hulga," the ugliest name Mrs. Hopewell can imagine. She also calls Hulga by her proper name when her mother is out of sight. . eNotes' "Good Country People" Overview Quiz covers important questions from Flannery O'Connor's short story, including what happens to Joy, and the question of Manley Pointer's background. Similar is the case with the characters of Good Country People. Incomplete Families: "The Drover's Wife," "The Chosen Vessel," and "Good Country People" Moreover, the way characters present themselves in Good Country People is often the very opposite of how they are. I know I never could." Hulgas insistence that she climb up to the loft indicates sensitivity regarding her artificial lega sensitivity which the Bible Salesman is now exploiting. Joy/Hulga is defiant and that ends up leaving her worse off because she goes with Manly Pointer and he leaves her. OConnor also depicts a class conflict in her story Good Country People. He takes their most dear things and runs away. to anyone." Joy thinks that she has seduced Manley to become a freer man but on the contrary, he has entrapped her. Seeing this, Joy catches anger and calls him a hypocrite and a pretentious person who plays with religion. I think thats whats wrong with it You dont see any more real honest people unless you go way out in the country. Of course, this judgment of Manley is incorrect, since he is a liar and swindler. What is the resolution? What characteristics of grotesque are used in "Good Country People"? Flannery O'Connor's Stories essays are academic essays for citation. Complete your free account to request a guide. Malebranche, a seventeenth-century Catholic philosopher, believed that even the simplest of bodily movements was possible only because of the supernatural power that was constantly present. Joyce, Meghan. In different ways, they are all hypocrites, claiming to honor and to have higher moral standards than they actually do. The night before, Hulga had lain in bed, imagining intense conversations between herself and the. Why does Hulga agree to meet with Manley Pointer? So, she cannot fulfill her dream of living away due to her condition and is forced to live among the two ladies Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Hopewell. New York City, New York St. Paul, Minnesota Question 2 30 seconds Q. She used to be insecure about her wooden leg, but now she reveres it as her defining quality, besides her education. Hulga, then, by O'Connor's admission is "blind," and ironically, it is during one of Hulga's exchanges with her mother, while Hulga is attempting to reveal her mother's blindness to her (her lack of awareness), that Hulga fails; instead, she reveals a vast weakness in her own professedly atheistic views, laying her open later to Manley Pointer's attack. However. Similarly, Hulga and Mrs. Hopewell think of Manley Pointer as a simple and good man who cannot harm Hulga in any way. She is popular among boys and is proposed to by a man Harvey Hill but there is no information about her acceptance. Since this is the case, it is not surprising that Pointer's comment that it is her leg which "makes her different" produces the total collapse of Hulga's plan. . You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. The ever-present hostility which exists between Hulga and her mother is undoubtedly aggravated by the presence of Mrs. Freeman, whom Hulga's mother idealizes as an example of "good country people." Hulgas heart condition and artificial leg have dominated her life: instead of travelling the world and learning, she is trapped at homeand yet she seems to wallow in her misery, rather than trying to do anything to change her situation. She also thinks of Manley as good country people but not above her. The story itself narrates life as a mystery that remains a question for everyone whatever they think.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'litpriest_com-leader-4','ezslot_13',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-litpriest_com-leader-4-0'); Through the character of Hulga Hopewell, OConnor gives the idea that education does not make a person practical unless one deals with every kind of surroundings. For him, existence is making others uncomfortable and inferior to feel superiority himself. Mrs. Hopewell happily buys into this impression, seeming to congratulate herself for recognizing good character and, once again, reinforcing her highly conventional perception of the social hierarchy with herself at the top. However, her mother calls her senseless and impractical. The excerpt is about Mrs Hopewell needing someone to walk over the fields with her. She has a face structure that resembles a heavy truck. What do you think of Hulga's conviction that intelligence and education are incompatible with religious faith? . Their unexceptional kiss reinforces her belief that she is more sophisticated than ordinary people, and sees through everyday illusions like romance. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1725 titles we cover. She lives in her world of superiority and self-assurance without any regard for others. Her forward. Good country people are the salt of the earth!" This elevation of what Mrs. Hopewell considers "good country people" is linked to the theme of disgust with the world in general, which is prevalent in many of O'Connor's stories.
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