At first sight, “Good Country People” is nothing more than a story about a young man named Manly Pointer who, in the course of a romantic interlude in the barn, steals the artificial leg of Hulga Hopewell. At a closer look, it is apparent that O’Connor is urging the reader to take a look at issues of faith and religion, through the life of Hulga Hopewell. Hulga, a character who is basically a nihilist, questions her religious stance after having an experience with Manly Pointer, who is supposedly a good Christian man. With the aid of symbolism, O’Connor is able to convey a message of faith, and one questioning their particular view on God.

The theme of religion and faith has been widely discussed by many writers who have studdies O’Connor’s work. "Good Country People" deals almost exclusively with characters that have no faith in God. Author David Eggenschwiler views Hulga as one of the most perplexing of O'Connor's demonic characters. Hulga supports her anti-God views through her scientific belief in seeking the knowledge of nothingness (52, 68). Hugh Holman theorizes that O'Connor created Hulga as a backlash toward the scientific thinking that wa

In the loft Manly Pointer takes out a “hollow” Bible. This is a symbol of his actual faith.

provides her with little protection from someone who has even fewer moral principles.

more worldly wise than Hulga; he seduces her, instead of the other way around. And she is left sitting alone in a hay loft without her glasses or her wooden leg.

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