Editor's Choice
In "Good Country People" by O'Connor, why are the characters' names significant?
Quick answer:
The characters' names in "Good Country People" are significant because they carry ironic and thematic meanings. Mrs. Hopewell's name suggests optimism, yet her naivete leads her to be easily deceived. Mrs. Freeman, though not literally free, has clearer insights, suggesting a different kind of freedom. Manley Pointer's name may symbolize his fallen nature and deception. Hulga's chosen name contrasts with her given name, Joy, highlighting her rejection of sweetness and innocence.
Concerning names in "Good Country People":
- Mrs. Freeman's name is ironic because she isn't free--she's a tenant farmer. Mentally, she is anything but free--she's a simpleton who quotes platitudes and is dangerous because she's so simplistic in her thinking.
- Mrs. Hopewell's name suggests she sees only good in others, as she sometimes suggests. Yet, she's actually simplistic and judgmental, focusing on the difference between "good country people" and trash, which, of course, she can't really tell the difference between.
- Joy/Hulga changes her name to the ugliest name she can find. The name fits her grotesque appearance and state of mind, but also is a rejection of her mother's way of life.
- Manley Pointer uses his manly pointer as bait to seduce and trick Hulga. His name is phallic, of course. He is the source of evil that ultimately leads to Hulga's awakening. Hulga goes to the barn with him...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
- because she, too, assumes he is "good country people," demonstrating that she does share her mother's belief. When Manley tricks her and humiliates her, and points out that is doesn't take a Ph.D to be nihilistic and believe in nothing, her feelings of intellectual superiority are savagely rebuked.
In O'Connor's "Good Country People," what is the symbolism in each character's name?
Flannery O'Connor loved to give her characters symbolic names. In this story, the daughter with the wooden leg is called Joy, but she believes she has no joy in her life, so she has renamed herself Hulga, an ugly Germanic-sounding name that sounds like the name of a Hun, not a woman. Her last name is Hopewell, but Joy/Hulga has neither "joy" nor "hope." Her mother is named Mrs. Hopewell and she does have some "hope" for her daughter (that is why she named her Joy), even though her hope is mostly dashed to pieces by the sullen girl.
The hired woman is named Mrs. Freeman, but she is not really "free" because she works for Mrs. Hopewell and cannot compete with her socially or monetarily, but she always has to get the last word in when they are talking. Mrs. Freeman's daughers are named Glynese and Carramae. Joy/Hulga calls them "Glycerin and Caramel" - two sweet substances. Glynese and Carramae are two feminine sounding names when compared to Hulga. Glynese and Carramae are sweet girls in the eyes of their mother, who is always bragging about them.
Finally, there is Manley Pointer. He is the Bible saleman. He is a "manly" arrival at the farm, and even Joy/Hulga finds him handsome. Some people believe that his last name is a phallic symbol, if you get my drift.
In O'Connor's "Good Country People," how are the characters' names significant?
In this story, a homely young woman with a wooden leg has changed her name from Joy to Hulga. She believes that she has nothing to be joyful about because she is a cripple, wears glasses and is homely. So, why should she have the name Joy? She chooses Hulga because it reminds her of the Roman god Vulcan. Her last name is Hopewell and again, because she has nothing to hope for in life, she has neither hope nor joy. The one source of pride for Hulga Hopewell is her education. She has a PhD in philosophy and because of this, fancies herself above everyone in intelligence, albeit nothing else.
The Freeman family lives on the land as tenant farmers, but they are not really “free” because they are tenant farmers and do not own the land. They are also of lower social status than the Hopewell family. Into this mix comes a Bible salesman, somewhat of a con artist. His name is Manley Pointer. He is “manly” in the sense that he plans to seduce Hulga. The last name “Pointer” is considered by some to be a phallic reference.
In Flannery O'Connor's "Good Country People," how are the characters' names significant?
"Good Country People" is a short story by Flannery O'Connor about a bible salesman, Manley Pointer, who deceives people about his intentions and who likes to steal artificial body parts, including artificial legs.
Hulga, who changed her name from "Joy", is obviously significant. "Joy" is a name associated with happiness; however, "Joy" hates the name and changes it to "Hulga" in part to spite her mother.
Manley Pointer is the bible salesman who comes to call at Hulga's house. Manley is significant because he is anything but a real "man." He is a liar and a thief.
Also, there can be significance in the name "Hopewell", which is the last name of Hulga and her mother. "Hope" and "well" both have positive meanings as separate words, but what happens in the story is far from hopeful and good. If anything, it shakes Hulga's sense of self-importance and superiority.