What Does Manly Pointer Mean By O Connor Good Country People

From an authorial note by O’Connor on the short story “Good Country People”, she describes the dual nature of man. I will be analyzing the deeper meaning of this theory based upon Manly Pointer. Looking through a physiological lens, to explain why his earlier actions have led to his later affliction. Now of course the “leg” symbolizes the life and the soul of Hulga and we know that she is physically “Crippled.” (O’Connor 1195) I will be analyzing why Manly Pointer will use Hulga for his ulterior motives through the persuasion of lust. The story “Good Country People” is set in a 1950’s rural environment when a 30 year old well educated crippled lady who goes by her self-attached name, Hulga, goes through lust over a so-called dumb boy. Her wooden leg gathers meaning throughout the story, and she self
The mention of the leg gathers a very sensitive feeling when she realizes that Manly wants to see where it joins the rest of her body. He persuasively retorts to the question of her love for his own by saying “prove it,” and “show me where the leg connects” Hulga maintained an ironclad distrust for anyone until O’Connor made the girl give into her vulnerability by relinquishing the part of her that stands most dear to her. “She decided that for the first time in her life that she was face to face with real innocence.” (O’Connor 733) She finds out that she was burned by him, when he has removed her leg and shows her the hollow bible containing the pornographic material, box of condoms and alcohol in it; she will reply to these articles with a shocking response. “Aren’t you just good country people?” She knows at this point that Manly is not the person he seems to be, that he has pulled the wool over her the entire