Significance of Names in Flannery O’Conner’s Good Country People Essay

Significance of Names in Flannery OConners well unsophisticated PeopleThe report card Good Country People, by Flannery OConner is a work that uses characterization in a modern and interesting way to help shape and present the characters of this trading floor. One of the of import characters is Hulga Hopewell, also known as Joy Hopewell. This characters bring out plays a precise ironic role in the story. Through the use of such a peculiar prepare OConner helps to develop and come along the characteristics of Hulga. In the story Good Country People the use of the telephone Hulga (Joy) Hopewell helps to further build upon the characterization of Hulga and give the reader a deeper understanding of the character.Joy Hopewell is the attain given to Hulga by her m separate and father when she was a baby. This name brings to thought a person who looks on the brighter side of things and doesnt let things discourage her. In the readers mind this name may perhaps bring clos e the image of a teacher or approximatelyone who works with children in a well light happy place. It is also a softer much vulnerable name, which may have been OConners intent in use the name Joy. In the story Joy changes her name to Hulga Hopewell because of the concomitant that she feels it better suits her personality. During her childhood Hulga had an cam stroke in which her leg was shot take of her body therefore, she has to wear a wooden leg that is rather colossal so by having the name Hulga it helps her to deter many people from ask questions or trying to get too close to her. Due to this accident Hulga becomes a brooding person, not very fond of company and entertainment. The name Hulga brings to mind a rather large Swedish woman who could credibly break a man in half. It is a brooding name and awkward on ... ...k that perhaps she should have kept her original name of Joy because it does in fact suit her.Throughout this story it appears that there are two di stinctly different sides of Hulga Hopewell. One side is that of Hulga large, brooding, and rude. The other side however, is softer and much more vulnerable. That side is Joy Hopewell. By apply these two names together OConner creates a unique look of this character. The revelation that Hulgas real name is Joy gives the reader some insight and helps the reader to see the softer side of Hulga more easily. By using something as simple as a name in this story the author creates deeper meaning for each character. Works CitedOConner, Flannery. Good Country People. Literature An Introduction To Fiction, Poetry, And Drama. Eds. X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia 3rd ed. New York Longman, 2003. 247-261