Introduction
The grandmother, the story’s protagonist, is pivotal in awakening the story’s antagonist, the Misfit, to a new appreciation for life in this piece. The grandmother is a stubborn elderly lady who refuses to relinquish her traditional views. Instead of taking the direct route to Florida, she suggests they divert to see an ancient plantation house (O’Connor 43).
The protagonist’s stubbornness leads them down a path that ultimately leads to their tragic demise. According to Kennedy et al., the grandmother is presented as a selfish, manipulative character throughout the story (33). When she insists on going to a haunted house despite warnings from her family, everyone in the family ends up in a dangerous passage.
How the Protagonist Brings the Antagonist to a New Awareness of Life
The Misfit is the story’s antagonist, a heartless murderer who takes lives with no qualms. The grandmother’s storyline enters the narrative when he and his accomplices come across the family by the roadside. She knows him as the criminal on the run and attempts to persuade him with her good looks that he should not murder them (Hani 346). Unfortunately, the Misfit and his gang brutally killed the entire family despite this attempt.
The grandmother’s significance in awakening the Misfit to a new perspective on life is revealed in the story’s last scenes. When the Misfit is about to kill the grandmother, he is moved by what she says. She treats him like one of her kids right from the start, and he responds positively. She tells him she thinks he is a “good man” who has gotten off track (Hani 343).
After hearing this, the Misfit seems to be having an existential crisis, as he starts questioning his behavior and past choices. The Misfit pauses to consider the grandmother’s comments. He finally breaks and kills the grandmother because he perpetually thinks about the past. But it is apparent that what the grandmother said to him opened his eyes to a new perspective on life and prompted him to rethink his existence.
Ultimately, the antagonist, Misfit, helps the grandmother discover who she is. This southern-charming grandmother gains a new appreciation for life due to the Misfit, who also helps her realize that she has always been like him. He teaches her that there are limits to her manipulative abilities, that her acts have repercussions, and that despite her outward superiority over the antagonist, in terms of appearance and charisma, she is no different from the villain.
Due to her greed, dishonesty, and manipulation, she is just as immoral as he is. Thus, the grandmother’s development of tolerance and insight inspires hope in the Misfit because he sees a reflection of his transformative potential (O’Connor 94). The grandmother encourages The Misfit because she recognizes her shortcomings and welcomes God into her life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the short story is a riveting piece of literature. It is a thorough investigation of questions of morality and redemption in light of the brutality and anguish shown. Through the grandmother’s character, O’Connor emphasizes that even the most flawed and imperfect humans can play a significant role in transformation and growth. The grandmother is essential in enlightening the Misfit about the marvels of life, even though she meets a horrible end in the story. Hearing the remarks, the protagonist causes The Misfit to reflect on his life both in the past and in the future, leading him to question his actions and the choices he has made.
The grandmother’s remarks significantly affect him, and he begins to question his whole existence, even though he is eventually unable to make sense of his history and present. The narrative makes a striking statement about the interconnectedness of good and evil and the potential of the individual to make a difference in the world. Connecting with people, even in the worst of times, is an achievement only possible through the strength of compassion and empathy.
Works Cited
Hani, Mohamad. “Analysis of Social Problem in A Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor.” English Community Journal, vol. 3, no. 1, 2019, pp. 342-349. Web.
Kennedy, Charles Joseph, et al. Literature: An introduction to fiction, poetry, drama, and writing. Pearson, 2013.
O’Connor, Flannery. A Good Man Is Hard to Find: And Other Stories. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1955.