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Overview
Flannery O’Connor (1925–1964) was one of 20th century America’s greatest short story writers
. She set her stories primarily in the rural American South, revealing a darker truth about its inhabitants. She published “Good Country People” in her first short story collection, A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories, in 1955. The story explores themes of identity, morality, and complex relationships through the character Hulga Hopewell, an educated woman with a physical disability who sees herself as intellectually superior. The plot takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of a seemingly good-natured Bible salesman, challenging assumptions about goodness and morality. Known for its dark humor and irony, the narrative subverts expectations and reveals the true nature of the characters.Read a full story summary, a full story analysis, and explanations of important quotes from “Good Country People.”
