When reading A Good Man Is Hard to Find, by Flannery O’Connor most recreational readers believe the short story to be gothic and even twisted. However, when the story is read from the of O’Connor’s view point it takes on a different tone and meaning all together. Much of what at first glance seems to be terrible and horrific events are actually lessons which O’Connor hoped to bring to the reader. O’Connor uses several key characters and settings in the story to express her beliefs to the reader.
In the story O’Connor uses the plantation house to symbolize the threat of temptation in one's daily life. The plantation house symbolizes the materialistic treasure left behind by the last owners. According to the grandmother the plantation house has “a secret panel” where “ all the family silver was hidden when Sherman came through but it was never found” (O’Connor 433). O’Connor shows the consequences of straying from the path God has chosen for his children by having the grandmother and her family meet The Misfit on their quest for material pleasures. …show more content…
O’Connor represents this as evidence that the family lead a sinful life. In addition O’Connor uses the family to show her concerns over the lack of family values present in her generation. Without the discipline and direction from parents children will not show respect towards their parents as well as not leading a model Christian life. The fact that John Wesley and June Star have not been brought up to respect their parents and to lead a model Christian life is evidence in the story. O’Connor is trying to point out to the reader that it is the parent’s responsibility to teach their children moral and religious