A Good Man Is Hard To Find Character Analysis

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Throughout our chapter on Death, we have seen many characters attempt to escape it. They all equally fail, as some attempt to succeed out of their own selfishness, while others do so for a noble cause. The Grandmother from “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” when faced with death, thinks only of herself and not for the lives of her family. Ivan Ilyich found the finite pleasures of his life slowly being taken away from him as he got sicker and sicker. Fetyukov of “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” incrementally sacrificed his dignity in order to survive the harsh environment in the gulag. Finally, Guido Orefice from “Life is Beautiful” demonstrated how to selflessly attempt to defy death, not for his own sake, but for the sake of his family.…show more content…
Wouldn't that make a picture, now?" (Pg 279). This was the grandmother’s emotional response to seeing a poor, negro boy on the side of the highway wearing no pants. This instance in the story accurately represents the mindset of her character in “A Good Man is Hard to Find.” She was living as if she were in a movie, where everyone else were supporting characters in a film all about her. She had no regard for the poor boy. To her, he was “picturesque.” Regardless of her attitude, she was content with her life until it was being taken away from from her. Toward the end of the story, the reader finds the grandmother begging the Misfit not to kill her. "Jesus! You've got good blood! I know you wouldn't shoot a lady! I know you come from nice people! Pray! Jesus, you ought not to shoot a lady. I'll give you all the money I've got!" She is determined to convince the Misfit to spare her life. Despite her effort, it has no effect on him. However, before the Misfit shoots her, it is revealed that she has had a change of heart. She calls the Misfit “her son,” finally relating to him on a human level, and putting aside her selfish perspective on the
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