Flannery O'Connor is best known for her deeply layered characters and the contrasts that she introduces through them. Good Country People is no exception. This story is set in the deep South in the middle of the Bible belt. This story is about the masks that everyone wears to hide who we truly are on the inside. In this story we get to know two of the characters by their outer appearances and the facade that they show the outside world. The reader gets to know two of the characters in a way that reveals what is lurking below the outer facade. This research will explore the theme of masks and outer appearances in Good Country People.
             The first two characters that we will discuss are Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Hopewell. O'Connor uses these two characters to represent the ideals of the Old South. Mrs. Hopewell appears to be a happy person that sees the good in everything. However, we know that she has had a hard life and that there is probably more below the surface that she will show the world. She lost her husband in an accident and had to raise her children by herself. Mrs. Hopewell works hard to only show the world a cheerful disposition.
             Our greatest clue that there may be a hidden world is her answer to the Bible salesman regarding her lack of Bible in the parlor. She makes the excuse that she does not have it for the sake of her daughter and tries to hedge the questioning. He badgers her about the acceptable manners of a Christian lady and of course, she tries to put up the best front, regardless of what she may be feeling inside. We never get to know what Mrs. Hopewell's true feelings are in the story.
             Mrs. Freeman, on the other hand, is seen as a little on the rude side. However, she is much more willing to express her true feelings and not to try to hide them from the world. As a result of her forthrightness, she often rubs people the wrong way. It is apparent from her reputation as a "busybody" ...