In class, we discussed how Hulga (Joy) represents us, the readers, in the story "Good Country People." Hulga believes she is above her mother, the Freemans, and even Manly Pointer. She has intellect! And a PhD to prove it. We're educated and we have a preconceived idea of what country people are like, just like Hulga.
However, in class we failed to assess and analyze all of the superiority complexes in the story. In the beginning of the story, O'Connor begins by explaining the relationship between Mrs.Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman. Mrs. Freeman hires Mrs. Hopewell reluctantly because she is a nosy, annoying woman. Freeman feels that she is smarter and more clever than Mrs. Hopewell and uses the woman to the best of her abilities. Freeman describes Mrs. Hopewell and her family as innocent, good country people. Conversely, Mrs. Hopewell believes that she holds insights that no one else has, showing that she feels superior to those around her, including Mrs. Freeman.
Like Hulga, Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freemen also consider Manly Pointer to be a kind, innocent country boy. In addition to feeling superior to Manly Pointer, Hulga also considers Mrs. Freeman's daughter to be too back country for her liking. She judges Carramae for marrying so young and Glynese for having so many suitors This story contains the illusions of all of many of the characters, although the focus of the story is on the relationship between Hulga and Manly Pointer.
As the readers, we relate most to Hulga because she most directly witnesses the exposure of a good country boy and through Hulga we are able to experience this event as well. However, she is not the only character in the story who has unfounded ideas about good country people.
I find the relationships between the different characters in good country people to be very interesting, especially the relationship between Manley pointer and Hulga because of how wrong she was about him
ReplyDeleteI really, really like what you are getting at with the other superiority complexes in the story. I would agree that Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Hopewell both embody the problems of people who think they are superior to those around them, and their inability to mutually recognize each other, or even realize Manley Pointer for who he is.
ReplyDeleteI think the fact that Hulga is living with her mother and amongst these people speaks to her own feeling of inferiority relative to her college peers. The country is a place where she thinks her intellect will not be challenged and she can live her life with her nose pointed up at everyone else.
ReplyDeleteI think the fact that Hulga is living with her mother and amongst these people speaks to her own feeling of inferiority relative to her college peers. The country is a place where she thinks her intellect will not be challenged and she can live her life with her nose pointed up at everyone else.
ReplyDeleteI disagree, I think Hulga sees her peers as equal because they are educated as she was. I think she dislikes the country because she thinks she cannot have, what she would call, intelligent conversation.
Delete