In Flannery O 'Connor's A Good Man Is Hard To Find'

All Men Are Punished In A Good Man is Hard to Find, Flannery O’Connor tries to show that we are all one of the same and that all man can receive God’s grace. In the short story we are compelled by the completely opposite mannerisms of The Misfit and the grandmother; one character who believes she has no faults and with weak moral convictions. O’Connor uses irony to exemplify two individuals with different moral codes to reveal the notion that all men are ultimately punished, but can achieve grace through attainment of self-awareness and compassion.
The grandmother is fixated by her appearance, and is sure that her ladylike demeanor brings her up to a higher standard than others. She would rather die an upright and well dressed “lady” and
The grandmother had the capacity to be a good woman; she attained grace, at gunpoint, and was able to see who she truly was, and her true lack of superiority. Seeing The Misfit vulnerable and confused when he cries out,” if I had been there I would of known and I wouldn’t be like I am now”, the grandmother was able to clearly see that she and The Misfit are two of the same (554); they are both sinners who will suffer the ultimate punishment regardless of their moral standings. The grandmother attains truth that they are both humans who make mistakes and that she is no better than a criminal. Right before she dies, she forgives and then accepts The Misfit as one of her own –they are equals. The Misfit sees the clarity and grace that the grandmother receives through her redemption which strikes him and brings about a change of heart. “Without his glasses,” as a shield, we are able to see,” The Misfit’s eyes were red-rimmed,” as though he was fighting back the sentiments that were arising from the grandmother’s touch (554); The Misfit displays compassion, maybe even regret for his crime. The moment the grandmother reached God’s grace and cried out,” why you’re one of my babies. You are one of my own,” she is showing that she has found the ability to see others with kindness and understanding (554). The final words, ”it’s no real
You could be a wicked and deceitful grandmother or a murderous criminal, either way you can receive his grace. O’Connor used this short work of art to prove that no matter the crime one might have committed, we all will be inevitably punished. In A Good Man is Hard to Find, we were shown two different types of “criminals” who were able to attain self-awareness in a way that redeemed their unworthy character flaws. Once we see that these criminals understand their fates, we the reader, are able to accept our own fates; no matter the crime, we will be punished, but can receive God’s