In Flannery O’Connor’s brief story “Good Nation Individuals,” irony is a prevalent literary machine used to spotlight the discrepancy between characters’ perceptions and actuality. One placing instance of irony happens when the protagonist, Mrs. Hopewell, describes her daughter, Pleasure, as a “good nation lady.” This description is ironic as a result of Pleasure is way from being a conventional “good nation lady.” She is an atheist, a nihilist, and a self-proclaimed mental who rejects the values of her rural group.
The irony on this excerpt serves to underscore the complicated and sometimes contradictory nature of human character. Mrs. Hopewell’s notion of her daughter is predicated on her personal restricted understanding of the world, and he or she fails to acknowledge the true nature of Pleasure’s beliefs and needs. This irony provides depth to the story and invitations readers to query their very own assumptions and biases.
