Good Country People

Good Country PeopleBy: Flannery OConnor

A Text that TeachesFlannery OConnor

Born in Georgia (1925)

Raised Catholic

Most known for short stories

Themes: religion and the South

Believed the South to be christ-haunted

Winner of O. Henry Award and the National Book Award

Died at 39 from LupusWhy the South:

Whenever Im asked why Southern writers particularly have a penchant for writing about freaks, I say it is because we are still able to recognize one. ~ from Mystery and Manners by Flannery OConnor

Why the Grotesque:

you have to make your vision apparent by shockto the hard of hearing you shout, and for the almost blind you draw large and startling figures.

BibliographyNovels:Wise Blood (1952)The Violent Bear it Away (1960)

Short Story Collections:A Good Man is Hard to Find (1955)Everything that Rises Must Converge (1965)Part One: Close ReadingThe TitleWhat are some common stereotypes about country people?

Based on the title alone, what did you think the story would be about?

After reading the story, do you feel the phrase, good country people, is a compliment or a put down?

Do all the characters feel the same way about this phrase? How can we tell?Character TraitsWho are the characters?

What types of intelligence do the characters possess?

What types of intelligence are valued by the characters?

Is one type of intelligence valued more so than another? How can we tell?The SettingWhat is the setting?

Why might the setting be important in relation to the types of intelligence we just discussed?

SubtextIf this is a parable, who learns a lesson?

What is the lesson?

ForeshadowingWhat are your first impressions of Mr. Pointer?

Do your initial opinions change?

When do you start to be suspicious of Mr. Pointer? What passages provide clues to the ending?

Why is Joy-Hulga unaware of these warnings? Movie Film clip

Pay attention to Manley Pointers demeanor. How can we tell he may not be all that he seems?The EndingWhat was your response to the ending?Did you expect it?

What do you think will happen to Joy-Hulga?

OConnor gives Mrs. Freeman the last word. Why is this significant?

Do you think the characters will change their opinions about country people? Why or why not?

Part two: Common ElementsThe Grotesque/ FreaksWho are the Freaks in this story? How can we tell?

What are they missing physically or emotionally?

What do they have in common? Religion/FaithDo you see a connection between the names of the characters and the Christian faith?

Do the characters believe in God? How do we know?

Is there a Christ-figure or a satanic-figure in this text? If so, who?

What sacrifice is made in this text either literally or metaphorically?

Is there a spiritual lesson to be learned?