Good Country People Analysis

Flannery O’Connor short story, “Good Country People” tells the ironic story of two families living in the country without true devotion to any faith. One family, the Hopewells consist of a cliché loving mother, and am educated self-proclaimed atheist, Hulga. The other family, the Freemans consists of two daughter and a mother that likes to linger around the Hopewell household. Hulga however is the main focus of O’Connor’s story. Hulga, the reader learns has changed her name from Joy, to Hulga simply because it is a harsh and ugly name. As the story progresses another character enters, Manley Pointer, who presents himself to be the epitome of a good country person, selling bibles. Unfortunately, Hulga learns that Manley is anything but good,
‘Country People” are inferred to be simple, Christian people, none of which any of the characters are. Mrs. Hopewell take pride in thigs that are meaningless, while Hulga places all he faith in her education and atheism. Hulga represents how those who value only intellect remain unenlightened. Hulga prides herself on her intellect, yet it is her over-confidence in her knowledge that results in humiliation and the proof that she is not as smart as she believes herself to be. In reference to Hulga Mrs. Hopewell state, “[She] thought of her as a child though she was thirty-two years old and highly educated” (O’Connor 271) this idea of viewing Hulga as a child is reflected throughout the novel, as the narrator refers to her as ‘Girl’ rather than her name. By not calling Hulga by her name, the narrator is reducing her intellect, though it is the thing she values most about herself. Mrs. Hopewell always declares that, “She though the name, Hulga, she thought of the broad blank hull of a battleship. She would not use it” (O’Connor 274), signifying that she rejects Hulga for who she is, but also ironically describes Hulga as the narrator sees her: empty and without purpose. Though Hulga appears strong she is empty without religion. Robert C. Evans comments that, “For O’Connor, in fact, the universe is quite
Hulga is the character who suffers most from being metaphorically blind. Hubbard remarks that Hulga’s, “Inability to recognize the alterity in another – that which makes him [Pointer] other, outside her means of calculation and system of ordering . . . leads directly to her humiliation and loss” (Hubbard 58), Hulga is unable to see Pointer for his true intentions, due to her wanting to corrupt his good country nature. After Hulga’s first encounter with Pointer the narrator observes that, “During the night she imagined that she seduced him” (O’Connor 284) and that with her influence, “She took all his shame away and turned it into something useful” (O’Connor 284). Mixed with her nihilistic view on life, and her metaphorical blindness O’Connor presents Hulga as an example of what life without devotion to religion looks like. Hulga is blinded by Pointer’s charms and this ultimately is tricked by him, as Pointer and Hulga are in the barn, and he has removed her wooden leg she says, “‘You’re a Christian!’ she hissed. ‘You’re a fine Christian! You’re just like them all – say one thing and do another’” (O’Connor 290), Hulga leans that Pointer is a nihilist as well when he says, “‘You ain’t so smart. I been believing in nothing ever since I was born!’” (O’Connor 291). Though this seems to be a point of similarity between Hulga and