"Good Country People" looks at class and social divisions in the southern United States in the 1950s (or thereabouts). Mrs. Hopewell is a wealthy landowner who sees her employees as beneath her because of their lower economic class, and she further divides working class folks into the categories of "trash" and "good country people." It isn't quite clear what the criteria are for membership in either of these classes, though.
Hulga, her daughter and the protagonist of the story, looks down on the same people her mother does, but her disdain is focused on their lack of education, and what she perceives as their lack of intelligence. Bible salesman Manley's vengeful act challenges Hulga's views, though as far as we know, Mrs. Hopewell's remain stable.
Questions About Society and Class
- How would you describe the class structure on the Hopewell farm? Does Manley disrupt that structure? Why or why not.
- Does this story celebrate working class people? Why or why not?
- Does Hulga view her mother as being from the same class as her—not economically speaking, but educationally? How about Manley?
Chew on This
Mrs. Hopewell verbally abuses Mrs. Freeman by constantly insinuating that she is inferior.
Mrs. Hopewell thinks she's superior to Mrs. Freeman, but she still works just as hard or harder than Mrs. Freeman.