In the 1950s, automobiles became more accessible to a wide range of Americans, significantly enhancing their mobility and freedom. O'Connor frequently employed the automobile as a symbol in her stories. Besides "A Good Man Is Hard to Find," consider reading "The Life You Save May Be Your Own" and "The Displaced Person" to explore the significance of the automobile in these narratives.

Investigate the Civil Rights Movement and the various frustrations faced by African-Americans in the South during the 1950s and 1960s. Read another story from O'Connor's collection A Good Man Is Hard to Find titled "The Artificial Nigger." Analyze how a racist lawn statue becomes a symbol for spiritual seeking. What does O'Connor's stance on racism appear to be?

Examine how the principles of Roman Catholicism are reflected in O'Connor's fiction. How does she portray her own Catholic faith, and what does she hope her readers will grasp about it?

Compare O'Connor's use of humor with that of Mark Twain, particularly in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. How do both authors employ humor to expose the harsh realities of the human condition?