A Good Man is Hard to Find

What does the Misfit mean with his final line, “She would have been a good woman. . . if it had been somebody there to shoot her every minute of her life”?

Full Answer Section

One possible interpretation of the Misfit's line is that he is saying that everyone is capable of good and evil, and that it is only through the threat of punishment or the presence of a strong moral compass that we are able to suppress our evil impulses. The Misfit himself is a complex and contradictory character who is capable of both great violence and great compassion. He is also a deeply religious man who is struggling to make sense of a world in which evil seems to be so prevalent.

Another possible interpretation of the Misfit's line is that he is saying that everyone needs to be kept in check, and that without the threat of punishment or the presence of a strong moral compass, people will inevitably fall into evil. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the Misfit himself is a product of a dysfunctional family and a violent upbringing. He never had the opportunity to learn right from wrong, and so he has grown up to be a violent and dangerous man.

Ultimately, the meaning of the Misfit's final line is up to the individual reader to decide. However, it is a powerful and thought-provoking statement that raises important questions about the nature of good and evil, and the role of punishment in society.

Sample Answer The Misfit's final line in Flannery O'Connor's "A Good Man is Hard to Find" is a complex and ambiguous statement that has been interpreted in many different ways. Some critics believe that the Misfit is simply expressing his nihilistic view of the world and his belief that there is no such thing as good or evil. Others believe that the Misfit is making a more nuanced statement about the nature of human nature and the fact that even the best people are capable of evil.