Good Country People-Flannery O’Connor
This story
is intriguing in how Hulga (Joy) initially believes she has a handle on the
world, only for it to be proven otherwise. Perhaps, she is aware of this all along and tries
to hide her lack of control behind her rudeness and harshness. It is also
interesting how she is so concerned with privacy and becomes easily annoyed
with other individuals around her.
When Pointer enters the picture,
there is an interesting dynamic between his “beliefs” and Hulga’s. Pointer claims that he is a Christian and that
“you can never know when you’ll need the word of God.” Hulga, on the other hand, is an atheist and
believes she needs nothing other than common sense and her mind’s control. Even
in the time they spend together she pities Pointer and sees herself as superior
to him. In the end, obviously, Hulga’s belief system fails her as she is easily
deceived. Whereas she initially perceives herself as a confident individual
with superiority, it is clearly demonstrated otherwise. This ties into the themes of some of the other
short stories we have read, including Kerouac’s Big Sur. In both stories, the characters almost become overwhelmed
with the complexity of the world, failing to keep up with the pace. Whereas Jack stresses over the evolving, detailed
society, Hulga flounders in her belief system and learns one cannot control
every circumstance, or persons.
I also noted how this
story dealt with the issue of hypocrisy. Hulga writes,” You’re a Christian! You’re a
fine Christian! You’re just like them all—say one thing and do another. You’re
a perfect Christian.” I wonder what experiences O’Connor has had with
Christians that influenced her to add this line. It’s sad that her definition of a “perfect Christian “has
such a negative meaning. (Obviously, there is no such thing as perfection, but
still. Wow.) This short story definitely touches on the fact that one is not
always who they claim to be.
Defender of the Faith -Phillip Roth
One should not be denied the right
of religious practices, not even in training. That’s why, in the first few
pages, I really felt for Grossbart. It was only when the letter issue came up
that I became a little suspicious of him. Because he feigned the letters, I
began to perceive him as untrustworthy. His
next actions, however, are what really made me suspicious. When Marx denies
Grossbart the favor of signing the pass, he becomes manipulative, threatening
to leave anyway. He also accuses Marx of “closing his heart to his own.” At
this point, I am thinking, “What are you talking about? Marx did so many things to try to help you!”
Grossbart knows Marx is a good guy and that this statement would guarantee him
the weekend pass. Grossbart also knows that Marx understands what it’s like to
be separated form one’s previous life. He knows that Marx misses the same
things he does, and he uses this to his advantage. If Grossbart genuinely wants to spend time
with his family and celebrate the holiday, then that would have been another
story. However, one may begin to wonder where the special treatment stops. If
it is granted to some individuals, shouldn’t it be granted to all? That would definitely
add some complication.
I feel bad for Marx that his compassion
and generosity is used against him. He really does put himself on the line for
Grossbart and his friends to leave the camp, only to realize he has been deceived.
However, I am very pleased that Marx catches on to Grossbart’s next scheme and succeeds
in adjusting the location assignments. I
do not really look at this as revenge, but I see it as Marx attempting to be
just and fair after he let things slide before.
I notice a similarity in the themes of these
two stories; both deal with deception in light of one taking a risk.
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