Entry #6 - A Good Man Is Hard To Find - Flannery O'Connor
Entry #6 - A Good Man is Hard to Find - Flannery O'Connor
Question #1
What qualities of the grandmother do you like? What qualities do you dislike? How did you feel when The Misfit killed her? Why?
In this story, the grandmother had very few qualities I dislike or rather, were detrimental to the families, since I found those particular qualities not necessarily negative, but put to use inopportunely. For instance, at times she came across a bit over protective when the thought of danger nearing her family came to mind; other times she came across as a cunning person when expressing herself, although I see her after reading the entire story more of a wily negotiator, since this only came up when she needed her point to be considered, and for others to heed her advise, as it happened when they took the turn which lead the family to the ditch where they met The Misfit.
Grandmother possessed many qualities I did like: her thoughtfulness and care demonstrated when not wanting to leave the cat by itself in the house, as well as when giving the mother a break from carrying the baby. Her cheerful attitude when she felt like dancing, and when playing with the children though they were disrespectful. Grandmother also showed a great deal of pride in values such as respect for others and one’s country or state, and as I mentioned above, she did not hesitate to express her opinion many times with brutal honesty whenever she felt necessary.
Although I was not surprised when The Misfit shot her, as this followed the execution of the other five members of her family, I felt a sense of sadness, sorrow, and distress when it happened. After thinking about it, I’d say it must be because the author did a great job at showing grandmother’s weaknesses soon after their meeting with The Misfit. Her fears became reality, and having heard the shots that ended the lives of her son, grandchildren, and daughter-in-law, broke down that strong spirit and what throughout the story I perceived as an authoritarian personality, down to that of a beggar, imploring for her life.
Question #7
What is the significance of The Misfit saying, “She would have been a good woman if it had been somebody there to shoot her every minute of her life”?
This question made me think quite a bit, as I recited grandmother’s last words “why, you’re one of my babies,” and The Misfit’s reaction to her touch. I thought, since there was not enough time for him to truly know her, ‘how else would he have known her as a person to describe her with the words on this 7th question, other than the possibility that grandmother was in fact his mother?’ tying this technique back to Aristotle’s method for a play, where there are aspects of the characters and plot not needed to be presented, as they are to be assumed or known already by the audience.
In any given case, whether this was true about the story or not, I believe The Misfit saw in grandmother more than he probably saw in any of his other victims: the courage to face him and tell him that he was a “good man,” the courage to ask him to pray and believe that Jesus would make things right for him, and the act of defiance when asking him “you wouldn’t shoot a lady”?
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Entry #5 - Iron Jawed Angels (Film Review)
Question #1
What were some of the concerns that kept many women from wanting to participate in the National Women’s Suffrage Movement? What kept Emily Leighton from participating at first? What do you think changed her mind?
Emily Leighton's status in society and the fact that she had been exposed to very little, if any oppressive treatment from men given her husband’s political position kept Emily from participating in the movement. In essence, Emily Leighton was a “good” woman as was taught a married woman should do; care for her husband and children, without interfering much with her husband’s affairs, social or professional.
Her lifestyle did not allow for her to experience first hand the many issues the Suffrage Movement fought against, having maids and likely servants to care for home. Although they were in a way second class citizens in comparison with men of the same class, women of her social circle did not serve others, as those in the lower classes did, nor had they the need work in factories for minimal wage and poor conditions, and did their best at not getting involved, emotionally and otherwise in any affair which required going against any institution or belief.
Emily’s change of heart came about gradually, first becoming a financial contributor, when briefly holding a flag in front of the White House for the first time, and feeling a tremendous sense of pride about doing so. When feeling the weight of her husband’s influence and power, and the helpless sense of betrayal when he threatened to take everything away even her children, just for doing something he did not agree with. Finally, witnessing the unfairness and mistreatment toward women in the organization, as well as their conviction to their cause, brought home the thought of her daughters living in the same conditions and pushed her to fully commit to the cause.
Question #5
Why do you think that President Wilson was not in support of the nationwide suffragist movement? What do you think changed his mind?
I believe Alice Paul’s considerate statement regarding President Wilson’s reaction to the Suffrage Movement’s pleas, and decisions made by his administration, which affected and threatened their well being, he understood how well educated, organized, and prepared to do whatever necessary the participant women were.
The persistence in Anna Shaw’s part, after the incarceration of most members of the NWP, as well as Senator Leighton’s publication about the treatment of his wife and other prisoners, endangered President Wilson’s political career, making the issues known to the rest of the world.
In my opinion, even after sending the amendment to the senate, I am not convinced still that Mr. Wilson, based on what I learned through this film, understood or cared about the reasons for all the sacrifices Alice, Lucy, and the rest of the Suffrage Movement undertook.
Question #8
What was the symbolism of the scene where the women were standing in the rain outside the polls while their husbands were inside voting?
It symbolized their strength, determination, and their relentless attitude. Standing strong in the rain and snow, is symbolic of the movement itself, the separation of classes, which made evident the problems and inequalities that existed within them.
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