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"Mrs. Hopewell said, squinting...'He was so simple...but I guess the world would be better off if we were all that simple.' Mrs. Freeman's gaze drove forward and just touched him before he disappeared under the hill...'Some can't be that simple,' she said. 'I know I never could.'"
My deception can out do your deception, my nihilism out does your nihilism. Another classic from Flannery O'Connor that examines how people's certain spiritual corruption can get the better of them in the most unforeseen ways.
As with many of her works the subtle symbolism with the names, the items that are mentioned and the almost breathless shift in tempo of the plot are classic traits of O'Connor now. Without spoiling I am amazed at how this story so cleverly shows how one becomes so viciously wrapped up in their own corruption and pride that they can't see when someone with the same, or in this case, even more corruption (I call it corruption instead of sin or evil because she makes it seem like a virus or sickness as oppose to an emotion or supernatural force).
In this story we run into a false protagonist who is there to show u one possible way of being and getting on in the world and slowly we are introduced to the real protagonist who rejects the false protagonist's way and instead sets out to show how her path is more sensible and she thinks she has her a fresh target except...maybe not.
One thing to note if note, if not to give to much away is how the the false protagonist deals with the antagonist and how the actual protagonist makes out. One can really have fun thinking about what is being shown in those interactions.
This story stats off one way and ends...I would recommend you read it for the amazing turnabout that happens.
This was a very quirky little story, but full of meaningful details. On the surface it is just a really bizarre story but digging in and picking up on all the little details reveals so much. I loved all the irony in the story, the ending had a bit of a "just desserts" feel to it. And when rereading it I noticed all the subtle humor mixed throughout, for example when Hulga was angry she would "stump" out of the room on her wooden leg. I actually found this book, upon further inspection, to be a great look into the human condition. I found all the personality types fascinating as the each seemed to be extremes of traits found in all of us.
The story was interesting. Like everything had a connection even to when it actually relates to the author. I was happy for the main character but towards the end I was sad and freaked out about it. I won't say what but if you are taking an english class or if you are becoming an english major then I recommend this, because there are a lot of interpretations the reader can make for this short story.
Her writing was interesting, I really liked her use of language.. especially in: "There was nothing wrong with her face a pleasant expression couldn't fix." BUT, the ending made me really angry.