A good man is hard to find (fiche oral)
WHAT WE HAVE HERE... Short story called « A Good Man Is Hard To Find » has been written by Flannery O'Connor, southern writer of 20th century, in 1955, 3rd person narrativ American novelist, short story writer and essayist, from a catholic family, influenced by Poe. Uses elements of grotesque and empathy (ex. Hutchback of Notre Dame) THE TEXT RAISES.... story of a grandmother reads newspaper : criminal calls « The Misfit » -GM & family (her son, his wife, his two children & the baby) leave to Florida (playing games, GM explain children are not respectful with their native state, tells about a man, Mr. Edgar Atkins who had courted her) -stopped at « the Tower », Red Sammy's & his wife's restaurant, GM spoke about « The Misfit », RD says he'd be not suprised if he came here -GM saw old house towards plantations : family's silver hidden in the house -BREAK : accident of the car, GM reminded her the house was in Tenessee not in Georgia -a car stopped with 3 men : GM recognized « the Misfit » who seem familiar to her her son, Bailey, go into woods and died - GM started become crazy, said him to pray Jesus, he's a good boy => alone with « The Misfit » - Misfit killed GM (says that he was « her son »)
« Southern Gothic » = gothic literature mixes horror & romance (Poe) unique to American literature, both empathy and disgust way to explore social and cultural issues and the South American South : social issue race relations + Civil War (big influence 1920's : antebellum literature « damsel in mistress », « chivalrous gentleman », « heroic knight »
« Grotesque » = meaning small cave or hollow William Faulkner (influence FO'C), influal Southern writers grotesque characters : Elephant Man, Gollum, the Beast (Beauty & the Beast)
« The story is a duel of sorts between the GM and her superficial beliefs and the Misfit's more profoundly felt