Comparing The Grandmother's Encounter With The Misfit

The grandmother makes a series of choices which leads to her and her family’s fatal altercation with The Misfit. On their way to Florida, the grandmother had taken a nap, and as they were driving “outside of Toomsboro, she woke up and recalled an old plantation that she had visited in [that] neighborhood once when she was a young lady.” (7) During her explanation, she lied about a secret panel which contained all of the owners’ silver. Upon hearing about this, the children became enthused about potentially visiting the house. After Bailey denied their requests, “the children began to yell and scream that they wanted to see the house with the secret panel,” (7) causing the father to give in to their demands and drive to it, a major diversion
The final portion of the grandmother’s encounter with The Misfit is a turning point in the development of both characters. The Misfit started by continuing to explain his religious beliefs, in particular focusing on that he was not present during Jesus’ life, so he “can’t say He didn’t” (14) do what the Bible said that he did, a point which he repeatedly stated as a means of justification for his way of life. However, he also acknowledges the errors of behavior, noting that “if [he] had been there [he] would of known and [he] wouldn’t be like [he is] now.” (14) Further emphasizing his human nature, “his voice seemed about to crack and the grandmother’s head cleared for an instant.” (14) Throughout the course of their altercation, the grandmother had been trying to convince The Misfit that he was a good person at heart. Him confessing that he was aware of his wrongdoings was a surprise to her, and she did not immediately know how to react. As she looked at him “she saw the man’s face twisted close to her own as if he were going to cry and she murmured, ‘Why you’re one of my babies. You’re one of my own children!’” (14) The Misfit was alarmed by her actions and “sprang back… and shot her three times through the chest,” (14) as if he was trying to deny any morality that he possessed. After he shot her, he “took off his glasses and began to clean them,” (14) in a manner which implied his return to the apathy which first defined him. Though both the grandmother and The Misfit were portrayed as antagonists throughout the story, this scene was able to reveal qualities about them which added deeper layers to their characters. (295