Good Country People” by Flannery O’Connor is an excellent example of irony in literature. From beginning to end it has a steady procession of irony, much of it based on the title of the story: “Good Country People.” In the beginning of the story we meet Mrs. Freeman, wife of the hired hand. She and her husband have been working for Mrs. Hopewell for four years. “The reason for her keeping them so long …showed first 75 words of 862 total…

…showed last 75 words of 862 total…end. Particularly the phrase “good country people” has become increasingly ironic. Right down to the end of the story when, (speaking of that “good country person”, Manley Pointer) Mrs. Hopewell says, “I guess the world would be better off if we all were that simple.” Ironically as she speaks Manley Pointer is making off with her daughter Joy/hulga’s wooden leg and her eyeglasses, after abandoning her in the loft of the old barn.