Nihilism In Flannery O Connor's Good Country People

Symbolism has been seen as a very important role in Flannery O’Connor’s short story “Good country people”. Flannery O’Conner has written several short stories portraying herself as a Catholic writer who attacks religious views being opposed, though uses the fundamentals of nihilism portrayed through Hulga (Joy), the main character of her story. She uses multiple frank descriptions and the usage of different types of symbolism to get the audience to understand her main points. The use of names and an artificial leg give a vivid description of the main character and her views towards nihilism. O’Conner’s symbolistic usage of names, name change and an artificial leg all link the main character’s nihilistic philosophy of life which leads to her

tragic event.
Flannery O’Conner gave a certain name to each character with a meaning behind it that gives this story multiple layers of literal descriptions and a symbolic relationship towards the main character Hulga. A few characters that carry this linkage include Glynese, Carramae, Mrs. Freeman, Mrs. Hopewell, Manley Pointe and Hulga. The names O’Conner gave to each character are not just simple titles but as well give a deeper meaning of her short story. For example Mrs. Freeman has two daughters named Glynese and Carramae who are brought into the story as indirect characters though play an important role towards Joy’s life. In Hulga’s world they are known as Glycerin and Caramel. “Glynese, a redheaded eighteen year old with many admirers” (O’Conner 168), seems to bother Hulga in a way because she is young and has a great ability to grab the attention of males, a factor not greatly possessed by Hulga’s part. Meanwhile on the other hand “Carramae, a blonde fifteen year old but already married and pregnant”(O’Conner 168), leaves Hulga in a state of being unsatisfied with herself because she does not have the ability to actually get a male figure in her life someday. She feels like she simply does not have the right attributes because of her physical appearance and how she is seen by others. Therefore, in this case Hulga identifies both names as glycerin which is a lipid used in a common household soaps and caramel a sweet tooth dessert but sickening if eaten too much. Both character names are renamed with things she dislikes and become the antagonistic roles of Joy’s anomalous life.
Flannery O’Conner as well mentions Mrs.

Freeman, mother of Carramae and Gylnese and Mrs. Hopewell Hulga’s mother. Both characters have a major impact towards Hulga’s life. Mrs. Freeman, as described by O’Conner is seen more of a realist who speaks and thinks freely. She is a very passionate woman and “had a special fondness for the details of secret infections hidden deformities, assaults upon children”, which in this case applies to Hulgas state of appearance, her deformity the artificial leg. This quote shows the bond Hulga has with Mrs. Freeman since she is very passionate about deformity. Hulga appreciates Mrs. Freeman because she helps her distinguish a more realistic view of life and the world, rather than following the same old good Christian morals. On the other hand Mrs. Hopewell, joys mother is seen as a good woman who has good Christian values. O’Conner uses this symbolistic name of Mrs. Hopewell because she carries hope with her where ever she is. “People who looked on the bright side of things would be beautiful even if they were not” (173). She is a very optimistic good Christian and follows good country people morals. She is as well proud of her ability to see well in anyone she crosses and help any situation that is in a bad state. O’Conner’s usage of indirect characters like Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman play a role in Hulga’s nihilistic life as an angel and a demon. Both constantly attempt to influence their beliefs without forcing their opinions towards

Hulga, yet her values are baseless and believes in nothing.
Another indirect character that O’Conner uses is Manley Pointer.

He has qualities of “good country people” by selling bibles and “not attending college but devotes his life to Christian service” (178). His appearance and name is a great symbol that signifies of something that is not real which connects to Hulga’s name. Manley’s name has an impact towards Hulga because his name signifies a manly figure which is a missing part in Hulga’s life. On the other hand his last name Pointer symbolizes great divulge of something amazing that will stand out in Hulga’s way. However his name is seen as a false and in reality symbolizes the emptiness of a male presence and the revelation that her life consists of only falsities. O’Conner also used a great mirror description between a bible and his name. Manly pulled out two bibles though one “was hollow and contained a pocket flask of whisky, a pack of cards and a small blue box with printing on it” (192). O’Conner used this hallow bible filled with several profane and contrary items as a symbolism to expose the meaning of Manley’s true self character. Manley is seen as a true nihilist, and through his name, hollow bible and false Christian morals he has revealed himself towards Hulga, as a true meaning of simply believing in nihilistic

philosophy.
Joy Hopewell is a well-educated, thirty-two year old atheist woman, who lived with her mother because of the several health conditions she faced. Despite that her name is joy the usage of irony used by Flannery O’Conner described the counterpoint behind the true definition of her name. Joy is much rather considered as a grown, angry bitter person opposite of the definition of joy. She changed her name to Hulga Hopewell, which symbolizes her low self-esteem and searches for acceptance. Even though Hulga is a strong nihilism believer she has susceptible events that happened in her life and one of them is her artificial leg. She had an accident which caused her to lose her leg and changed her perspective on life. Her artificial leg is a symbol throughout the story, which has left a significant impact on Hulga and everyone around her. Hulga’s artificial leg is a clear representation of her soul despite that she is an atheist and does not believe in that she still has a tender affection towards her leg. O’Conner also reveals how her leg impacted Manley which caused for Helga to lose her artificial leg once again. Leaving her with stolen innocence. Hulga’s name change also shows symbolism through Mrs. Freeman and Hopewell. Hulga is usually called by both names, to her mother Mrs. Hopewell she is joy and to Mrs. Freeman she is Hulga. The name calling between these two people symbolize the dual life she is living due to the result that her artificial leg left in her life. Sometimes Hulga did not feel happy of her condition and whenever she had arguments with her mom she would reply with “If you want me, here I am like I AM” (171), hoping for acceptance since the accident she had with her leg at the age of 10. Flannery O’Conner chose the name joy to reveal the Christian side of her though Hulga is used as the nihilistic side of the events that happened in her life.
Flannery O’Conner’s short story “Good country people” has many facets of symbolism that bring out the true personality meaning behind each character and the purpose of their role in Hulga’s life. Hulga for her age has been left with her innocence stolen by a man who she believed had good Christian values resulting in her belief to be destroyed. Every action taken by the characters including the loss of her leg led to Hulga’s nihilistic philosophy.