To start off, my initial reaction to “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” is “Wow, just wow.” Though “The Lottery” was similarly disturbing, it was also somewhat interesting to read. On the other hand, “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” basically transitions from being a boring, slow read immediately into a vivid, grotesque scene of the family facing a serial killer. I don’t often enjoy reading such morally disturbing stories like some of the ones we have read this year, but I must admit that these have also been the most memorable.
When I first began reading this story, I was nearly falling asleep. The plot basically consisted of an unappreciated grandmother going on a road trip with her family, and included were her two bratty and disrespectful grandchildren. It is obvious from the start that the grandmother is the intelligent, maternal character of the story. When the family’s car crashed and the serial killer and his gang arrived to “assist” them, she was the only one of the family who had an idea of what was going to happen. In her attempt to save her unappreciative family, she tried to save and help the man threatening their lives while her family walked straight into the lion’s den.
Each character in this story exhibited obvious flaws in their personalities, including the grandmother. She was the easiest to pity because of she was obviously neglected from the family, but it was also apparent that she still believed in a sort of hierarchy system, wanting to be known as a “lady” and looking down upon other poor black people when telling stories from her past. The children’s mother was slightly aggravating to me, because she was the quiet, out-of-the-way sort of person whose basic purpose in the story was to hold the baby. I disliked the children the most out of all the family, due to their blatant disrespect for others and their sheer ignorance. They insulted the men that were practically holding guns to their heads, not even understanding when to be afraid or figuring out that their lives are on the line.
I think the main reason I enjoyed this story less that “The Lottery,” despite the fact that both were a little unnerving is that I disliked all of the characters. The entire family frustrated me as I was reading this story and I frankly was glad to see the story end.
Christy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog, and I wholeheartedly agree with your opinions on Silva and the narrator. I, too, view the narrator as a very weak and lonely woman who does not possess a strong sense of morality. I do not view Silva in a very positive light, but the narrator did not even attempt to escape the adulterous situation. She continues to let him take advantage of her. I did not like how Silva did not even attempt to find out anything about the narrator or learn her real name. I myself would not respond if someone continuously referred to me as a character from an Indian legend. Silva is indeed a "womanizer". Great writing!