|
HOME »
WORKSHOPS » FICTION » FLANNERY O'CONNOR, "A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND" » RE-READING
Flannery O'Connor, "A Good Man Is Hard to Find"
BIOGRAPHY
Reading » Re-Reading » Explorations
Re-Reading Questions
Text on p. 451 of the full Ninth Edition and p. 451 of the shorter Eight Edition.
Re-Reading Questions
Note: Some of these questions require extensive answers to explore them fully. Therefore, you may either use some as brief prompts for your own thinking about the piece after reading the study materials or explore them in a paper.
1. What is the grandmother's relationship to the members of her family? Is she a kind of misfit? What does she value? Why does she bring her cat? What does her attitude toward the negro child show about her?
2. Consider the scene at Red Sammy's, particularly their discussion of a "good man" being "hard to find." Is Sammy a "good" man, as she says? How does this dialogue prepare the reader for the Misfit's vision of a world without meaning? What do you think of their assumption that the past was a better time?
3. Look for the elements of popular culture of the 1950s which are woven into this story. Do they show a diminishing of "goodness" and values in the modern world? Considering the culture and values of today, as well as the rise of random violent crime, do you find this story prophetic or dated?
4. Look closely at the final encounter between the grandmother and the Misfit. What constitutes goodness and meaningfulness for both characters? What does Jesus have to do with the situation they find themselves in? Do you see any indication that either the grandmother or the Misfit ever glimpse any redeeming truths?
|
In 
In 
In