Question

In the story, "A good man is hard to find," by Flannery O'Connor's,

What argument are the grandmother and the Misfit really having?

What would you say is the Misfit's philosophy on life?

Why does the grandmother tell him to pray?

What role do you think the cat plays at the end of the story?

What possible meanings could the image of the Misfit picking up the cat have?

it wont allow me too add story as its to long it keeps saying. if you simply search it on google it comes up right away.

Answer 1

What arguments are the grandmother and the misfit really having?

Grandmother appeared as practicing moral code of conduct but her arguments seemed opportunistic. He also believed that a lady should not have been killed. Her arguments revealed orientation towards Christian piety but her arguments revealed an opportunistic behavior as her behavior reflected that she did not have complete faith in Jesus and divinity. Her arguments such as pray to Jesus and follow Christian religion ardently to Misfit were to save live of her own. But Misfit did not have faith in religion and he did not offer pray. He argued that he was once a good person but he was sent for prison even if he did not do anything wrong. Misfit argues that he wanted to do something by himself because he did not help from god. His arguments revealed that even committing crimes, sooner or later, a person forgot these crimes. These arguments made Misfit to kill grandmother and her whole family.

What would you say is the Misfit’s philosophy on life?

The philosophy of Misfit is rudimentary philosophy. No pleasure but meanness is one philosophy of Misfit and his philosophy did not change even in crisis situation. He said either believes completely in Jesus or showing meanness to get pleasure. He was not moral in practical sense but he had steady view.

Why does the grandmother tell him to pray?

Misfit said that he was oppressed and wrongfully placed in a prison. He said that he was accused of killing his father by head doctor but it was not true. Grandmother said that to relieve his sufferings and pain, he should have prayed to Jesus to receive help. But grandmother said pray to god was not for helping Misfit but saving her own life in a false hope that moral values of Christian religion might change the mindset of Misfit and save her life.

What role do you think cat plays at the end of the story?

The role of cat is ominous to the family. The cat while attacking Bailey and thrown out by him causes an accident and Misfit killing whole family. His being thrown out of car was like throwing him out of family but his role is certainly caused misfortune to family.

What possible meaning could the image of Misfit picking up the cat have?

Misfit is oppressed by powerful people of society once and he therefore, did not tolerate cruelty on cat by Bailey. He therefore, had strong moral values and moral integrity to help helpless creatures.