Generation Gaps in Flannery's A Good Man is Hard to Find

Generation Gaps in Flannery's A Good Man is Hard to Find

The use of symbolism that emphasizes a major gap between the two generations, as well as religion, theme, and imagery along with an intriguing story plot make Flannery's A Good Man is hard to Find one of America's classic short stories.

Imagery is widely used in O'Connor's story, which makes the characters and surroundings seem lifelike. In the depiction of the grandmother the reader can visual see the woman sitting in the car waiting on the others to arrive. "Her collar and cuffs were white organdy trimmed with lace and at her neckline she had penned a purple spray of violets containing a sachet." These are a few phrases of description that O'Conner used to describe the old lady. In the description of the scenery, O'Connor uses metaphors to create a more vivid image in the minds of the readers. As in this example of a field: "…various crops that made row of green lacework on the ground." Or "The trees were full of silver-white sunlight and the meanest of them sparkled." The reader might feel that he or she is riding in the backseat of the car along with the grandmother, June Star, and John Wesley. Perhaps he or she is reading a comic book or staring out the window admiring the scenery. Whatever the action that is taken place the readers feel a place in the story either living vicariously though the characters or by being a witness.

The theme "A Good Man is Hard to Find" was discussed between Red Sam and the grandmother over lunch in the Tower café. In the grandmothers generation killers, drug-addicts, and thieves were scares or even unheard of situations. Red Sam said to the old lady, "These days you don't know who to trust. I remember the day you could leav...

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...le to help each other in these terms. However, when the grandmother observes the Misfit as he was about to cry. She reaches out to him and says, "Why you're one of my babies. You're one of my children." The Misfit, who is obviously affected, rears back and shoots her in the chest three times. Although the grandmother is dead they both have benefited from the encounter. The grandmother has returned to true Christianity by touching and forgiving the Misfit. The misfit comes to grips with himself when the grandmother reaches out toward him.

In conclusion, A Good Man is Hard to Find has been analyzed by English students and teachers for years, perhaps for the religious aspects, imagery, theme, or numerous amounts of symbolism. However, I believe Flannery O'Connor's main purpose was for religious and symbolic meanings of the diversity in the generations be portrayed.