Good Names for O’Connor’s Characters

Good Names for O’Connor’s Characters
In Flannery O’Connor’s “Good Country People”, O’Connor uses the character’s names to illustrate the qualities of the personalities she depicts. O’Connor does this not only with the main characters but, the minor characters as well. The story progresses by introducing three sets of people; Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Hopewell, Mrs. Freeman’s two daughters, and Hulga Hopewell and Manley Pointer. The amount of insight O’Connor offers to her readers is related to the reader’s knowledge of the characters’ names.
In the beginning of the story readers are introduced to Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman. As her name implies, Mrs. Hopewell is an optimistic and gentle character that often sees things in a positive light. While discussing Mrs. Freeman’s ill daughter, Mrs. Hopewell says “She’ll be better in a few weeks.” (O’Connor 125) Mrs. Hopewell also takes great care to emphasize that she loves country people an...