A Good Man Is Hard to Find, by Flannery O'Connor (Analysis & Interpretation)

Nick Courtright is the Executive Editor of Atmosphere Press, an author-friendly publisher, and an acclaimed English professor. Learn more at atmospherepress.com, and nickcourtright.com!

[@lawrences.oconnell9013]

Thanks for your analysis. You opened my thoughts to a the spiritual ideas O’Connor intended.

[@kylem5135]

A perfect analysis! This is one of O' Connors's main themes in many of her writings. The importance of salvation, often overlooked when read plainly.

[@jeffreyadler8676]

At Emory University I heard an actress read excerpts from Flannery O'Connor's letters. Her correspondent was writing about the differences between men and women. Miss O'Connor wrote back that she saw people in terms of two other groups: the irksome and the less irksome.

[@samuelbooth-aalund9498]

Without using anyone else to analysis this story I had some ideas of my own, but I knew I was missing how to connect everything together. This video gave me the clarity I needed. Great job! Thank you.

[@joewitous6281]

This is a very good analysis. It will help with my second reading of the story. It will be an even more enjoyable reading experience with this valuable insight. Thank you!

[@jeffryhammel3035]

I liked the "crisis of faith" observation best.

[@stevebowman2353]

Thanks, Nick. This was very helpful to me in understanding this odd but engaging short story. You explain the possible interpretations so clearly. As I listened to you it was like a light bulb went on in my head as I thought, "Wow, that might be what the author was getting at." I can't wait to read the story again. Thanks again.

[@AaronFrancisRoe]

Thanks for this, Nick! I'm using it in class tomorrow. -Aaron

[@leslieannvanhumbeck7630]

Brilliant 👏 👏 👏

[@hornviper92]

You're a saviour... Thanks for the good analysis!

[@jeffryhammel3035]

Thanks, Sir. A groundbreaking story. You told about it very well.

[@allstar5sos]

Wow, definitely a new perspective and critical thought of this story. I definitely have a better understanding. This is an excellent analysis!

[@theodorealfano3505]

Killed it. Insightful. It's nice to see people do what they are passionate about. We could sense the passion in your delivery. Thanks.

[@xtusvincit5230]

It's actually a beautiful story, but one covered in horror. You expressed so well the mystical experience of the grandmother so few are able to perceive. Well done. Flannery said, "Many die in my stories, but no one gets hurt." Wow!

[@tagexing]

well done analysis! appreciate your videos~

[@olivial8899]

This is excellent. I very much appreciate your internet presence.

[@ashleynoel2754]

Excellent analysis Nick! the ideas covered in your video are exactly how i see it

[@gregoryletellier1813]

These videos make complex stories quite approachable. Thanks for this!

[@talh1099]

thank you so much!!!!! this analysis seriously helped me with my character analysis for the grandmother in my literature class.

[@Lexyvil]

I just finished reading the short story. It really surprised me by how it ended and I was indeed emotional. Great analysis~

[@atmospherepress]

+Lexyvil Thanks for the compliment! If you ever need help with an interpretation or a paper, feel free to enlist my services at editygroup.com/academic!

[@MissLionRose]

I think you're just fantastic Mr. Courtright! Thank you for sharing your videos. I appreciate it :)

[@atmospherepress]

+LionRoseMusic Thanks for the compliment! If you ever need help with an interpretation or a paper, feel free to enlist my services at editygroup.com/academic!

[@JenniferJacksonHooper]

Thank you so much Nick. You are inspiring!

[@bluesunpeg]

Holy shit.

[@MomusFilms]

Good analysis.👍🏼

[@PaigeSinclaire]

I really like you view on this, it's different from what I've been seeing of others thoughts.

[@singlespies]

I just finished reading her book of short stories (A Good Man is Hard to Find) and my take on this one is totally different. In general, I'd say Flannery O'Connor creates characters in order to set them on fire and laugh as they burn. All the short stories I read seemed like dark comedies. The characters are often stupid and / or cruel. O'Connor deploys her own scorching wit as she describes their blind and troubled adventures. About Good Man in particular: the speeches by the Grandmother and the Misfit are not meant to be taken in earnest. They're just lunatic ramblings of damaged human beings. If anything, they're meant to be funny. There was no grand awakening or revelation by the the Grandmother at the end of the story. She, as I see it, was just trying to manipulate the Misfit (as she'd earlier manipulated family members several times) by attempting to bond with him. A disgraceful ploy. And the Misfit was on to her. Regarding religion: in many of O'Connor's stories Southern Christianity figures into characters' motivations or sets a cultural tone for the setting. Having grown up in Georgia myself I know it well. But even though O'Connor considered herself a Christian the brand of Christianity represented in her stories is ignorant and contemptible. O'Connor's judgment of it is scathing. So my own advice to readers is: don't look for epiphanies or philosophical enquiry in the stories of Flannery O'Connor. Instead, enjoy her withering misanthropic view of humanity served with a mordant wit.

[@samuelbooth-aalund9498]

singlespies I can see how you view them both as “broken” individuals. While I was reading this multiple times for a paper I see that not only The Misfit/Grandmother, but every character has something messed up with them. I interpreted her showing that society as a whole is damaged. Thanks for sharing your view!

[@jeffryhammel3035]

Some great observations. Thanks.

[@jeffryhammel3035]

@@samuelbooth-aalund9498 Thanks, S. I felt the same about ALL the characters.

[@nolanknows1401]

Great analysis

[@desra753]

You are so awesome thanks for posting this!!

[@atmospherepress]

+Ashley Elliott You're welcome, Ashley! If you ever need help with an interpretation or a paper, hit me up through editygroup.com/academic!

[@photosoulja]

Would you be able to help guide me in developing a theme statement for the story? that would be relevant to the critical lens of Psychoanalytical Theory

[@fatimoroccangirl168]

Hi plz I need an answer of this question because I search a lot in the internet but I did not find an appropriate answer .My question is : why Flannery O'connor used Tragedy in her story "a good man is hard to find ? I mean what the function of using tragedy in this story ? Plz if you have any answer I need it . thanks in advance

[@atmospherepress]

Hi! If you need help on a paper or an interpretation, feel free to enlist my assistance at editygroup.com/academic. Hope to work with you soon!

[@fatimoroccangirl168]

Thanks

[@3leon306]

8:50 onward ... c- regarding hermeneutical-critical analysis

[@HookEm21]

Very simple to me. Murderer=bad. Family with flaws=good.

[@uglygurt5491]

big bro did this whole video in one take

[@rmichaelgarcia]

i thought it was meh.

[@RapIsReligion]

The Malice King it was

[@SKMikeMurphySJ]

Wow! Not even close! This guy is a teacher? My daughter who just received her Master's at a secular school, can plainly see the Overt Roman Catholic Symbolism. Hmmmmmm, Lets look at the Misfit? Who is the ultimate Misfit? Do you think the Child's name John Wesley could mean anything? Why do they keep saying, "We've had an accident!" It's so obvious and I have never even attended a Jesuit School, I hope this kid teaches Middle school! He took in about 25% of the story, and like Charles Bukowski said about his readers can be said here, "They take from my work what they need the least, and they leave behind what they need the most!"

[@mikeadcock823]

you are an ass....

[@prv7966]

You are the grandma.

[@aikaterineillt9876]

Luckily most people won’t take in even 25% of your useless comment.

[@markcavanaugh9920]

Speaking of The Misfit and the Grandmother, you said the Grandmother realizes that "she and him [sic] are on the same plane." You call yourself "an acclaimed English professor," but you can't manage correct pronoun usage.

[@fatimoroccangirl168]

Hi plz I need an answer of this question because I search a lot in the internet but I did not find an appropriate answer .My question is : why Flannery O'connor used Tragedy in her story "a good man is hard to find ? I mean what the function of using tragedy in this story ? Plz if you have any answer I need it . thanks in advance

[@pkedm]

Fati Moroccan Girl I recommend you to read O'Connor's essay "Some Aspects of the Grotesque in Southern Fiction." In there, she explains why the necessary of violence.

[@ramonagrant9287]

I don’t know. Maybe because tragedy brings out the authenticity in human nature? The Misfit was evil but he, at least, was conscious of that fact. He had experienced tragedy already. Maybe O’Connor is suggesting it is difficult to break through the facade one creates about themselves and life. Only something this strong can shatter it.