research essay

Patel 3

Nimit Patel

Professor Randall

English 1102

4 March 2018

“Reflection on the Theme of Religion in A Good Man is Hard to Find”

Religion is one of the most important and controversial issues in the world. Religious values and principles often dictate the manner in which persons interact with each other. The outlook is driven by the aspect of individuals wanting to emulate the actions of their religious figureheads. For instance, Christians seek to follow the teachings of Jesus whereas Muslims are led by the views of Prophet Muhammad. Those who obey their religious principles are promised eternal life while those who contradict them would be condemned to eternal suffering. The outlook is exhibited in the Flannery O’Connor’s story, A Good Man is Hard to Find, through the interactions of the grandmother and the misfit. Upon encountering the misfit, the grandmother brings up the issue of praying to Jesus in the hope that she would be spared, a condition which shows how people value religion.

O’Connor implies that even sinners know religions well when he writes “God never made a finer woman than my mother and my daddy’s heart of pure gold,” (23). The statement was said by the misfit after the grandmother had told him that he appeared to come from nice people. His assertions show that he gives credit to God for anything good that exists in his world, such as the good personalities of his parents. Nevertheless, his acknowledgement of God’s powers does not stop him from engaging in evil activities. The viewpoint indicates that possessing religious knowledge alone does not make an individual religious.

One of the crucial elements of religion is prayer. The latter creates a link between an individual and the supernatural being he or she believes in. Also, religious persons believe that prayer can solve their problems. This is the reason why many people seek divine intervention when they are experiencing challenges. The viewpoint is exhibited in O’Connor’s story when he writes, “Pray, pray,” (27). These words were said by the grandmother, informing members of her family, who were watching her encounter with the misfit. She knew that they were in a huge problem, thus believed that only God would save them. The misfit had cornered them, thereby leaving them without any means to escape. The only option was to pray to God for a miracle to happen.

One of the major aspects of religion is redemption. In both Christianity and Islam, everyone has a chance of salvation, irrespective of their sins. Individuals need to confess their crimes to God and seek forgiveness. The outlook is exhibited in O’Connor’s story at the end when he writes, “It’s no real pleasure in life,” (32). These words were said that there was no pleasure in what he did, an indication that he was willing to change his ways by becoming religious. He believed that his sins would be forgiven, thereby becoming the son of God.

In conclusion, it is evident that religion plays a crucial role in the lives of characters in Flannery O’Connor’s story A Good Man is Hard to Find. The encounter between the misfit and grandmother shows that religions influence people’s decisions significantly. In the story, the grandmother seeks God’s assistance by telling her family members to pray, rather than call the police run away. Also, the misfit claims that he does not find pleasure in what he does, an indication he is likely to seek redemption by changing his ways.