The Role Of The Misfit In A Good Man Is Hard To Find
In the story, “A Good Man is Hard to Find”, there’s a debate that the Grandmother showed grace to the Misfit in an attempt to save her own life. But, on the other side of this issue some critics state that the Grandmother’s grace is because of the Lord touching her due to Bible references being used through the short story The side of the argument that makes the most sense personally would be the Grandmother being touched by the Lord in order to show grace to the criminal. This novel is diverse, in terms of the logic behind the authors reasoning behind her writing. Critic Stanley Renner thinks that the grandmother touching the misfit made him feel uneasy since it the situation was so biblical. Also, stating that the “touch” was similar
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to how a parent would bless their child. Another critic, Ochshorn, says that what the grandmother did before her life ended was not connected to the Bible. But what she did was just her trying to save her own life despite what had already happened to her family (Clark 66). Some critics have different views on this issue, for example Hallman Bryant thinks that the grandmother’s actions are connected to the Bible. In more elaboration on his opinion he can see the tie between the story and testaments in the Bible. For instance, the sons name in the story, Timothy is a biblical name that is believed to be written there to hint the connection the reader. Readers can tell that in the story where the Grandmother is touching the misfit can be tied to the Bible where “touching someone” and laying hands on someone symbolize grace being shown (Clark 67). The Grandmother having this type of situation happen to her changed her spiritually. She went from acting selfish and self-centered to compassionate and caring. So for her to make this kind of sudden change is caused by nothing but the power of the Lord (Clark 68).
Critic Bonney has this idea that the Misfit is the only smart person that is thinking about the questions he states in the story, “because I can’t make what all I done wrong fit what all I gone through in punishment” and “does it seem right to you, lady, that one is punished a heap and another ain’t punished at all” (O’Connor 348).
Continuing on Bonney starts to get into how the Misfit is God in the story. He says this because of what the Grandmother says to the Misfit, ““Jesus!” the old lady cried” and “Jesus, you ought not to shoot a lady” (O’Connor 348). The name she calls him is most likely referenced to the Bible here as well further showing how God was present during the Misfit and the Grandmothers conversation (Bonney 347). When the grandmother is killed by the Misfit, Bonney thinks that this moment is similar to God determining someone’s fate. Fike, the next critic, has an opinion that is mostly based on the fact that the story, “A Good Man is Hard to Find” has more Biblical references that are deeper within the story then we, the reader, can see. An example, would be where Fike talks about how there is symbolism involved with the type of car the Misfit drove; about how dark and death like the vehicle was. Since the Misfit is a murdering people left and right without giving a second thought about it Fike is suggesting that he is doing the devils work, almost like he’s a soul collector (Fike
247). The position I take on this issue is the side where the Grandmother’s acts are tied to Biblical references. In these lines in the story, ““Why you’re one of my babies. You’re one of my own children!” She reached out and touched him on the shoulder” (O’Connor 349). This is her showing grace to the in the story compared to earlier where she wanted to take the cat despite what her son said. Which shows how much of a transition her personality switched from being stubborn and selfish to showing grace and kindness when the Misfit confronts her. On top of that the numerous amounts of Biblical references the author makes also shows how God was involved with the Grandmother showing grace. By a first read, the reader may not notice these references due to how well the author masks the meaning underneath the events that occur throughout the short story. Flannery O’Connor’s story, “A Good Man is Hard to Find” has many different point of views and opinions to, “If the Grandmothers change of heart caused by God or because she was about to be murdered?” Each critic has dug deep into the story to find the hidden meaning that they think the author intended to make in their story. Reading through these critics’ criticisms have further helped me argument on the Grandmother finding grace being caused by God. Truly this helps show how hard it might be, for a reader reading this story for the first time to pick a side without giving it some thought first.
to how a parent would bless their child. Another critic, Ochshorn, says that what the grandmother did before her life ended was not connected to the Bible. But what she did was just her trying to save her own life despite what had already happened to her family (Clark 66). Some critics have different views on this issue, for example Hallman Bryant thinks that the grandmother’s actions are connected to the Bible. In more elaboration on his opinion he can see the tie between the story and testaments in the Bible. For instance, the sons name in the story, Timothy is a biblical name that is believed to be written there to hint the connection the reader. Readers can tell that in the story where the Grandmother is touching the misfit can be tied to the Bible where “touching someone” and laying hands on someone symbolize grace being shown (Clark 67). The Grandmother having this type of situation happen to her changed her spiritually. She went from acting selfish and self-centered to compassionate and caring. So for her to make this kind of sudden change is caused by nothing but the power of the Lord (Clark 68).
Critic Bonney has this idea that the Misfit is the only smart person that is thinking about the questions he states in the story, “because I can’t make what all I done wrong fit what all I gone through in punishment” and “does it seem right to you, lady, that one is punished a heap and another ain’t punished at all” (O’Connor 348).
Continuing on Bonney starts to get into how the Misfit is God in the story. He says this because of what the Grandmother says to the Misfit, ““Jesus!” the old lady cried” and “Jesus, you ought not to shoot a lady” (O’Connor 348). The name she calls him is most likely referenced to the Bible here as well further showing how God was present during the Misfit and the Grandmothers conversation (Bonney 347). When the grandmother is killed by the Misfit, Bonney thinks that this moment is similar to God determining someone’s fate. Fike, the next critic, has an opinion that is mostly based on the fact that the story, “A Good Man is Hard to Find” has more Biblical references that are deeper within the story then we, the reader, can see. An example, would be where Fike talks about how there is symbolism involved with the type of car the Misfit drove; about how dark and death like the vehicle was. Since the Misfit is a murdering people left and right without giving a second thought about it Fike is suggesting that he is doing the devils work, almost like he’s a soul collector (Fike
247). The position I take on this issue is the side where the Grandmother’s acts are tied to Biblical references. In these lines in the story, ““Why you’re one of my babies. You’re one of my own children!” She reached out and touched him on the shoulder” (O’Connor 349). This is her showing grace to the in the story compared to earlier where she wanted to take the cat despite what her son said. Which shows how much of a transition her personality switched from being stubborn and selfish to showing grace and kindness when the Misfit confronts her. On top of that the numerous amounts of Biblical references the author makes also shows how God was involved with the Grandmother showing grace. By a first read, the reader may not notice these references due to how well the author masks the meaning underneath the events that occur throughout the short story. Flannery O’Connor’s story, “A Good Man is Hard to Find” has many different point of views and opinions to, “If the Grandmothers change of heart caused by God or because she was about to be murdered?” Each critic has dug deep into the story to find the hidden meaning that they think the author intended to make in their story. Reading through these critics’ criticisms have further helped me argument on the Grandmother finding grace being caused by God. Truly this helps show how hard it might be, for a reader reading this story for the first time to pick a side without giving it some thought first.