Irony in Good Country People

Irony in “Good Country People”

Flannery O’Connor uses characterization, and the themes of good versus evil and the

psychological and physical problems of the characters, to create irony in the story. The

characterization of both Mrs. Hopewell and Joy/Hulga creates irony, which begins with

their names. Then the theme of good versus evil, demonstrated by the belief that

country people are “good”, also creates irony.

The story is about a farm owner, Mrs. Hopewell, her only daughter Joy/Hulga, and a

Bible salesman named Manley Pointer. Joy/Hulga lost her leg at the age of ten due to a

hunting accident and although she gets a very high education, she lives a miserable life

at home with no one to talk to besides her mother and some hired help. She lives with

people who she thinks are inferior to her because of their simple ways, their religious

beliefs, and especially their lack of education. She believes she is superior to them

because she got a PhD in Philosophy. Joy/Hulga shows this superior attitude by failing to

show her mother any respect in the presence of the Mrs. Freeman, when she slams a door

and calls her mother “woman” while her mother was eating with Mrs. Freeman.

Mrs. Hopewell is an old lady who thinks she is in control of everything, and hopes

everything goes well, when in fact nothing goes well, which is ironic because her name is

Hopewell. Her problems start with Joy/Hulga who won’t talk with her, treats her poorly,

and brings her no pride. Mrs. Hopewell can’t figure out why she studied philosophy.

She gave her daughter the name of Joy Hopewell, however, her name is ironic because

she is neither joyful or hopeful. O’Connor demonstrates this irony when “as

soon as she was twenty-one and away from home she had it legally changed . Mrs.

Hopewell was certain that she had thought and thought until she had hit upon the ugliest

name in any language”.

O’Connor