A Good Man Is Hard To Find Symbolism Essay

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A theory of symbolism was introduced by Professor Briggs about Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man is Hard to Find”, suggesting that Tennessee, Georgia and Florida represent Heaven, Earth and Hell in the story (Briggs). Although there is symbolism throughout the story suggesting that the theory may actually hold weight, I believe the symbolism that O’Connor uses within the story, shows how moral principles can become twisted and, how faith is tested in a person’s most dire hour of need. Both of which O’Connor demonstrate through her character of the Grandmother. The Grandmother, who remains nameless, possibly to symbolize that any one person can easily fit themselves within the character, is a woman that holds herself to a high regard as a “Lady”.…show more content…
She begins with an attempt to manipulate Bailey about his children’s safety and detour him away from a family vacation in Florida by saying, “I wouldn’t take my children in any direction with a criminal like that aloose in it. I couldn’t answer to my conscience if I did.” But, she seems to have no conscience at all when she sneaks the cat, Pitty Sing, into the car, which Bailey certainly would have been opposed to. She also shows no type of conscience when she lies to her grandchildren about the secret panel hidden in one of the plantations she knew, and takes the family on a detour that will ultimately be all of their demise. Before encountering the Misfit, O’Connor shows small glimpses of the grandmothers selfishness; it is present within her manipulation, her lying, and even when she reminisces about Edgar Atkins Teagarden, E.A.T, stating that “she would have done well to marry Mr. Teagarden because he was a gentle man and had bought Coca-Cola stock when it first came out and that he had died only a few years ago, a very wealthy man.” But, the depth her selfishness does not show completely through until she is face to face with the Misfit and she is the one being

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