Similarities between Protagonists in Rebellion against Family and Search for Identity

Joy-Hulga from “Good Country People” by Flannery O’Connor and Dee-Wangero from “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker are strong protagonists who share similar motives and characteristics. Joy-Hulga and Dee-Wangero both change their names in an attempt to change themselves. They both share comparable motives and reasoning for changing their names. Similarly, Joy-Hulga and Dee-Wangero act selfishly while try to escape something from their past. Joy-Hulga and Dee-Wangero both alienate themselves from their mothers while in search of their authentic inner self. Joy-Hulga and Dee-Wangero are hiding from past childhood events, both consciously and subconsciously. Although their motives and characteristics are alike, their backgrounds and heritage are extremely diverse.

Joy-Hulga and Dee-Wangero share the same motive and reasoning for changing their names, to gain autonomy while changing themselves. Joy changes her name to Hulga because it is ugly like her disposition and completely opposite of her given name. Joy-Hulga is not only trying to anger her mother, but also attempt to change herself. When Joy-Hulga turns twenty-one, she immediately leaves home and changes her name in an “attempt to redirect her life,” without telling her mother until after she does so (Feeley 236). Joy changes her name to Hulga, which Mrs. Hopewell is certain that she only chose because it was the “ugliest” name she had come across “in any language” (O’Connor 190). Joy chooses the name Hulga at first because of “its ugly sound” but then perceives it as one of her “major triumphs” (190). Joy-Hulga successfully changes her name, displeases her mother, and reestablishes herself. Conversely, Dee changes her name to Wangero to rebel against her heritage and...

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