Not enough people know who Flannery O’Connor is. And that’s a very grieving thing, considering she’s the most important Christian writer of the past century and probably the greatest writer in history.
So in order to remedy this situation, I now provide you with a link to the full text of her second greatest short story (“Parker’s Back” is her best, but I couldn’t find it online). It’s called “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” and it’s funny, moving, terrifying, violent, and deeply spiritual and complex. Usually all at the same time. So, the next time you have a spare twenty minutes on your hands, read and enjoy this story.
http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~surette/goodman.html
P.S. Did I mention she was a Catholic? Ohhhhhhh.
Oh yeah, her complete short stories collection is one of my “desert island books” or whatever.
*: ) I believe we can agree on that!
I found a collection of O’Connors short stories at Bargain Books in downtown Farmington (about 10 still left). Only $4.
I read “The River” last night, along with several analyses of it this morning. Wow. She’s the kind of author you read through once to get the high-level story, then you go back and re-read in detail once you know the gist of it (kind of like watching The Sixth Sense for the 2nd time). Hers are stories worth discussing over coffee.
Thanks for the tip, Joel!
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
When we push aside the pleadings of the Holy Spirit…we fall pray to the destruction of the “thief”
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8
Reality is way scarier….
Joel, Nancy, I see your points – thank you for explaning.
I still think that the raw violence in this story drowns out the deeper meaning. I have to wade through the shock and unease before I can unpack the deeper, more subtle message.
Maybe this is because I’m a father of four young kids, and I couldn’t help but put myself in Bailey’s shoes as he was walked into the woods. I pictured my dear wife and daughters hearing the gunshots… this disturbs me greatly.
Now, theologically, I understand and wholly agree – the misfit and the grandmother were the same – they were both depraved and in need of God’s grace. None of us are righteous in and of ourselves.
So, upon reflection, I do think it is a well crafted short story, but for me, the violence is too much–it drowns out and distracts from the deeper meaning.
We can implore to man’s “good nature” in every way we know how…but, without the Holy Spirit…no one will be “saved”! A good man is impossible to find…we are all misfits…even with the “papers” telling us what we did…without the Holy Spirit no one will be saved…Only God can raise the dead!
Gramma was a nice lady…but she just had to bring that cat…
The violence IS the point. It’s necessary to show the contrast between the grandmother and the Misfit.
The grandmother is a seemingly normal, elderly Southern woman. Compare that to the Misfit’s criminality and violence. Which one do you think deserves to go to heaven?
Well, it doesn’t really matter if neither has Jesus, does it? The grandmother is no better than the Misfit. They both are depraved, and grace is necessary to save them both. Thus, the grandmother’s last words, “Why you’re one of my babies. You’re one of my own children!” They are both the same. We are all the same.
A good man is hard to find? A good man is danged near impossible to find. “Jesus was the only One that ever raised the dead.”
Am I missing something? I found the story to be profoundly disturbing. Granted, it seems to be theologically accurate, but I just can’t get past the violence.
I gain much from this blog and Pastor Paul’s radio show. But this story I could have done without–I genuinely regret reading the story. The violence overshadows any deeper meaning.
Very interesting…I have heard a lot about Flannery O’Connor, but had never read any of her work…I won’t soon be forgetting this story…the complexity is definitely complex…*: ). I even woke up in the night thinking about the silly story and mulling it over!
Thanks for the link Joel…It will propel me to the library for more of her work.
Joel,
There is much that your father and I do not agree on but one thing that I admire about him is he raised a very bright young man. For your age, you seem to have a lot together. Keep it up, you are going places in this world. Thanks for these great posts they help mix it up from all the right v left, Rep v Dem, emergent v conservative discussion that dominates this board.
I picked up her complete collection at a garage sale a decade back but hadn’t delved into yet (having kids will do that). Thanks for encouragement.