Good Country People Character Analysis

In Good Country People, Flannery O’Connor explores the complexities of human behavior and how common stereotypes shape the response that these behaviors receive. The title, Good Country People, suggests this work of fiction will tell a tale of modest people living in the countryside as they display neighborly etiquette by performing a series of good deeds for one another. The expectation is that the characters will set an admirable example of how one should conduct his or her life, and thus challenge the reader to embark on a journey of personal improvement. However, this is not a tale of such inspiration, instead it presents characters whose lives (and actions) are quite complicated. None of the characters can be classified exclusively

Hopewell’s love for her daughter Joy, Mrs. Freeman also has tremendous love for her own daughters, Glynese and Carramae. Her affection for them is demonstrated by her constant need to disclose every mundane detail concerning their personal affairs to Mrs. Hopewell. However, regarding her flaws, Mrs. Freeman’s faults are not quite as extreme as the other characters’ flaws. Instead her faults are mostly mere annoyances. Her obsession with knowing the latest gossip about everyone combined with her inability to admit to any wrongdoing is not necessarily harmful, only irritating. Regardless of her minor offences, she ultimately has a good heart and only the best of intentions for those around

Hopewell, Joy, and Mrs. Freeman, none of these women’s behavior displays quite as many nuances as the Bible salesman’s. Though he and Joy actually share small similarities. They are both emotionally distressed because of the health issues with which they are coping, therefore they project their own internal misery onto everyone else. The difference between them is, the Bible salesman uses deception to lure people into his schemes. Like a green mamba snake slithers around patiently planning an attack on his prey, so does the Bible salesman calmly sweet-talk his way into the hearts of those he wishes to deceive. He is aware of the common positive stereotypes used to describe country people, therefore he is determined to inform Mrs. Hopewell that he is from the country. His efforts to feign innocence and honesty include his use of phrases such as “I know I’m real simple”, “I’m just a country boy”, and “People like you don’t like to fool with country people like me!” He is well aware that the appearance of innocence will enable him to wiggle his way into his victims’