"Good Country People"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how Flannery O'Connor's style of writing adds a twist of mistrust and deceit that grabs the reader by the heartstrings. In particular, the paper looks at how this concept is displayed throughout O'Connor's short story "Good Country People" and how, through her vivid character descriptions and bold symbolism, O'Connor clearly communicates her theme that people are not always what they seem.

From the Paper:

"The Bible also serves as a prominent symbol throughout the story. The Holy Bible represents good and truth in the world and the Bible salesman uses this idea to his advantage. The Bible salesman sells his customers on the idea that the Bible is good and true, but for him, the Bible represents a place where he can hold all of his secrets. The emptiness of the hollow Bible that sits inside his suitcase is the true symbol for the salesman. He believes in absolutely nothing. This hollow "holy" place is only a storage place for his thoughts of sex, booze, and porn. The salesman's lifestyle and need for sexual and satisfaction is directly opposed the sanctity of the Bible as it is typically regarded by others."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bosco, Mark. "Consenting to Love: Autobiographical Roots of "Good Country People"." TheSouthern Review 41.2(2005) 283. 8 May 2007 <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=
• Drury, Jason. "Literary Analysis." Associated Content. 17 July 2006. 12 May 2007 <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/12646/flannery_oconnor_american_literary.html>.
• Elliot, Jessica. "Literary Analysis." Associated Content. (2005). 12 May 2007 http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/43646/flannery_oconnor_american_literary.html
• Oliver, Kate. "O'Connor's Good Country People". The Explicator. 62.4 (2004) 233. 8 May 2007 http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=669179111&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=11
• Velasquez, Eduardo. "Return to Good and Evil." Perspectives on Political Science 32.1(2003) 164. 8 May 2007 <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=40&did=592363871&SrchMode=1&sid=4&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=>.

More papers on "Good Country People":

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• Comparison Essay # 29068 : "Good Country People" and "The Gilded Six-Bits"
• Analytical Essay # 16732 : "O'Connor's "Good Country People"

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