A Good Man Is Hard to Find Group

Question:

rerunn2002
rerunn2002
Student
College - Freshman

In the story "A Good Man is Hard To Find" by Flannery O'Connor, I am looking for information on the Misfit and who he was in the story?

The story does not give enough information about this man called the Misfit. I would like to know more about him so that I will be able to understand the story better. He plays a very inportan part in the story but there is not enough information about him.

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Posted by rerunn2002 on Monday August 10, 2009 at 7:48 PM and tagged with characters, misfit.

Answers:

  1. mwestwood
    mwestwood Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    The Misfit is an escaped convict who, with two others, drives up on the family after their accident.  In a sense, he becomes a paraclete of God, for in his discussion with the grandmother about his crime and the punishment that did not fit, as well as his lack of faith, 

    I wan't there [during Christ's life] so I can't say He didn't [raised the dead]...I wisht I had of been there...It ain't right I wasn't there because if I had of been there I would of known and I wouldn't be like I am now.

    When the grandmother discovers a connection between this sinner and herself, crying out,

    Why you're one of my babies.  You're one of my children!

    the Misfit springs back, repulsed, and kills her.  Having brought the grandmother to grace, the Misfit declares,

    She would of been a good woman," The Misfit said, "If it had been somebody there to shoot her every minute of her life.

    Rate answer:

    Posted by mwestwood on Monday August 10, 2009 at 8:51 PM