The Misfit Character Analysis

In Flannery Oconnors “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” we are introduced to a family preparing for a much deserved vacation that will include their highly “religious” Grandmother, who seems to fatally doom the family before they even set off on the road to their destination. She warns her son, the father of the family, that a fugitive known as “The Misfit” has just been released in their destination of Florida. Despite her warnings the family insists on sticking to the original plan, and begin to set off towards Florida. This is the only time in the story where the Grandmother should have stuck with her first instinct, or ‘gut” feeling, instead of ignoring it which we see results in the families ultimate downfall at the hands of “The Misfit.”

This character has appeared in literature and cinema many times throughout the years. The character of an anti hero who's tragic flaw is well hidden behind the facade they put on throughout their day to day life, but ultimately they succumb to the intensity of their inability to maintain self control. The misfit has may parallels with characters such as Christian Bales performance of Patrick Bates in “American Psycho” who is a seemingly normal person by day but when triggered can turn on a dime and begin to handle their problems in a completely unorthodox way that carries little to no regard of the collateral damage they cause in the end, but nonetheless accomplish a goal that is basically up in the air as far as interpretation

The character of Colonel Hans Landa played by Christoph Waltz in “Inglorious Basterds” is a perfect example of someone who despite being known as a Nazi to his home country, he eventually contributes significantly to the ending of the war, essentially he ends WWII single handily by betraying his country by ensuring an allied assassination attempt on Hitler was indeed successful. This awareness of the world around him, and his understanding of it, allows Colonel Landa to approach his obstacles in a precise and efficient manner that is unlike anyone else. No self respecting Nazi would have carried out the same deed as him to their loyalty to their Country, but Landa’s ability to come to a completely logical and ultimately sound decision that would lead to the end of the bloodshed, despite him more than likely being branded a traitor by his native country. Its these type of people who are able to see past the illusion of identity society has laid of for us to eventually evolve