Good Country People Questions

Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.

  1. What does the phrase "good country people" even mean?
  2. What is O'Connor's attitude toward the women in her story?
  3. Is it significant that the story ends and begins with Mrs. Freeman? Why or why not?
  4. Flannery O'Connor said she based Hulga on herself. If you were to create a fictional character based on yourself, what would they look like? What aspects of yourself would you downplay? What would you exaggerate? Would you aim for realism?
  5. In the "Symbols" section, we talk about how Hulga's name represents her "greatest creative act." What kind of act might Hulga have in mind?