Written in 1953, this short story is probably Flannery O'Connor's most popular and controversial. It's also funny and grotesque. If you read it in college you probably either loved it or hated it.
But did you understand it?
I recently reread it after 50 or so years. This time I loved every word. Did I understand it? Not sure. But I got some great insights.
First, the main character, Grandma, is a piece of work. I'm a grandma but I sincerely hope that's all we have in common. But is it? Unlike "Grandma," the story has caused me to continue to self-evaluate before before somebody puts a gun to my head.
It's a simple tale of a family; mom, dad, the kids and grandma, taking a little trip. They end up being at the mercy of three killers, who, under the direction of The Misfit, murder them one by one.
The whole family is unlikeable but grandma is the worst. However, she, of course, sees herself as the best.
Her collars and cuffs were white organdy trimmed with lace and at her neckline she had pinned a purple spray of cloth violets containing a sachet. In case of an accident anyone seeing her dead on the highway would know at once that she was a lady.
Grandma thinks appearances are everything. It's important that you conduct yourself as if you come from the right kind of people. Grandma loved the old days in Tennessee where people knew their place.
The old lady said that in her opinion Europe was entirely to blame for the way things are now.
I know that every word in this story is thick with meaning. I'm sure the names of all the characters have significance. The little boy is "John Wesley." The cat, who causes the accident that eventually gets them all shot is "Pitty Sing."
Toward the end of the story, after all the other family members have been murdered, Grandma tries to talk her way out of her predicament. She tries to bargain with The Misfit by telling him he is a "Good Man." But then, gradually, the theology gets real, on both sides. They discuss whether or not Jesus really raised the dead. The Misfit says:
...if he didn't then it's nothing for you to do but enjoy the few minutes you got left the best way you can - by killing somebody or burning down his house...
In the end, Grandma and The Misfit both explore the concept of God's grace. Grandma even sees how she and The Misfit have that in common. Just before he shoots her in the head she says:
Why you're one of my babies. You're one of my own children.
EPILOGUE
A couple of weeks ago Stephen Colbert had guest Conan O'Brien on The Late Show. What do we know about Colbert and O'Brien besides being wealthy, crazy talented entertainers? They're both crazy smart intellectuals. And, Colbert is a devout Christian. Flannery O'Connor's name came up in the conversation. They both said she was one of their favorite writers. And what O'Connor story did they agree was her best?
A Good Man is Hard to Find.
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