A Good Man Is Hard To Find Grandmother Analysis

“A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor begins with the introduction of the grandmother. It can quickly be noted that this woman holds herself in high regard. Grandmother views herself as a prim and proper lady. However, she does not possess the qualities of a lady. She is dishonest, selfish, and hypocritical. And because of her actions, she puts her family and herself in a terrible situation, which leads to the demise of them all.
Grandmother’s dishonesty begins when she brings her cat along for the trip to Florida. She does so behind her son’s back, because she knows that he will not approve. This would seem harmless initially, however, secretly bringing the cat along turns out to be a terrible idea. Another example of the grandmother’s dishonesty is when she lies about the old house that she wants to see. “‘There was a secret panel in this house,’ she said craftily, not telling the truth but wishing that she were, ‘and the story went that all the family silver was hidden in it when Sherman came through but it was never found…’(253).” She tells this lie so

Throughout the story she places judgement, she lies and manipulates her family, and she proves to only care for herself. She does all of this while claiming to be a lady, and holding herself is higher regard than everyone else around her. She continually shows that she is not lady, and she is also doing the things that she looks down upon other for, This is an example of a true hypocrite. Another shining example of her hypocrisy is shown when she brings up religion when speaking to The Misfit. “Do you ever pray?(258).” “‘If you would pray,’ the old lady said, ‘Jesus would help you’(259).” These quotes imply that the grandmother is a Christian. As a Christian, judgement, lies, manipulation, and selfishness should not fall under her terms. However, they do. This grandmother is a true hypocrite, and it shows from the