Kim Sandy

Block 7

September 10, 2010

Mrs. Cassler

Good Country People: Point of View and Characterization

Flannery O'Connor's use of dialogue and characterization really sets out the whole

story-line from the very beginning to the very end of this short story. A variety of major

characters that revole around the plot include: Mrs. Freeman, Hulga/Joy, and Manley

Pointer. O'Connor's use of dialogue and point of view give these few characters a certain

quality of significance.

Flannery O'Connor's use of dialogue tends to be very simple in a way for the

reader to comprehend some fact the something substantial is occuring. Her bland

language gives some of the characters a simple point of view, like Mrs. Freeman for

instance. A perfect example of Mrs. Freeman's dialogue mentions her saying, "Well, I

wouldn't of said it was and I wouldn't of said it wasn't." The author mentions Mrs.

Freeman's personality as one consisting of three types: which consisted of her neutral

expression and her forward and reverse methods. Even though O'Connor characterizes

her character Mrs. Freeman as a simpleton, there seems to be more of a complexity

hidden within. Consequently, the end of the passage is a superior example of Mrs.

Freeman's intricate point of view. "Some can't be that simple." she said. "I know I never

could." Mrs. Freeman's dialogue exhibits her complexity as a character.

Another character whose point of view is delicately expressed happens to be

Hulga/Joy. Hulga's motives as a character are seemingly naive and inexperienced. This

can obviously be seen in the end of the passage when Hulga/Joy states to Pointer, "Aren't

you just good country people?" Within her own mind, Hulga/Joy is a legend. Being a

woman and having a p.H.D gives her a sense of dignity and intelligence over others, but

that notion quickly fades away when she realizes, accordingly, that she in no better than

the country people that surround her.

Manley Pointer has a quite compelling part of O'Connor's short story. Pointer may

seem like a dull, Christian character, but O'Connor quickly changes paths. In the

beginning, Manely Pointer seems somewhat naive when he trys to convince Mrs.

Hopewell by saying, "I know you believe in Chrustian service." But the end of the story

says all. Pointer's name isn't even Manely Pointer and he doesn't even believe in what he

is doing. "I hope you don't think that I believe in that crap," referring to what he does. "I

may sell Bibles but I know which end is up and I wasn't born yesterday and I know where

I am going!" Irony is presented throughout, even within the title, because Manely Pointer

is not even considered "good country people."

Flannery O'Connor does a superb job with the dialogue and the seperate point of

view of each and every character. As a reader, it may seem that the story is a tad

confusing because so many different aspects are being presented. It is seen that point of

view and dialogue are significant to a story due to the fact that it presents many a variety

of things. Point of view and dialogue are quite considerable when understanding a

passage, likewise with Flannery O'Connor's short story.