Assignment: Good Country People (Flannery O'Connor)
1. A recurring theme in O'Connor's short stories is conflict between mother and daughter. Joy-Hulga hates Mrs. Hopewell. Mrs. Hopewell despairs that she doesn't have a "normal daughter." What is the source of the conflict between these women? Who's to blame for how they behave toward each other?
2. How do you read Manley Pointer? Is he the Trickster of folk tales who is sly and takes advantage of ordinary people, who are rather stupid and gullible? Is he Satan, the epitome of evil? At the end of the story, does Manley Pointer affirm Joy-Hulga's atheism, or does he make her realize that she has a need for a divine presence in her life?
Requirement
The paper should have at least three paragraphs - an introduction, one or more body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The last sentence of the introduction should be your thesis statement. Italicize the thesis statement. Each paragraph must have an italicized topic sentence. Quote the text to support your arguments; provide analysis and commentary. Cite the short story and do a Works Cited page using MLA 8th edition.