blog 3 question 3 & 2

3. Discuss the title of “A Good Man is Hard to Find” – how does it relate to the story? Does this title provide a particular kind of insight into the text?
My first impression of this title was this story was going to be about love rather then actually being literal to the title. Throughout the story “A Good Man is Hard to Find” the men who are emphasized represent the exact opposite of a “good man” such as Bailey who is more impatient and uncaring toward his mother and with Red Sammy who’s demanding of his wife. This title does provide insight as direct as to a good man is hard to find. With the Misfit I interpreted the grandmother actions being justified because she knew she was being confronted by death. He’s actions were not good as where Bailey toward the grandmother, and Red Sammy toward his wife. In fact the only good man mentioned in this story was Mr. Edgar Atkins Teagarden, and he was defined by the grandmother as a gentlemen. The Misfit was used throughout the story from the beginning to end. Red Sammy even quoted the title when the grandmother was talking about him so his significance throughout the story was strong; although he does show signs of sympathy towards the last words with the grandmother he does not do good which reflects the title itself.

2. Discuss how Dee’s interpretation of the phrase “everyday use” illustrates her perspective on social position, power, and heritage.
Dee from the start is already beautiful, educated, and driven; whereas Maggie is timid, frightful, uneducated. During the explanation of Dee we readers find out she doesn’t care to much for her family due to the fact she never brought her friends over and how she would “manage” to see them where ever they chose to live as if it were mandatory. When Dee arrives to her mother’s and sister’s home she is in a car with a long dressed and dolled up. She wants physical things to represent her heritage yet she changes her name. And calming that Maggie would not value the quilts as she would when in fact Maggie spent time learning how to make them by her Aunt Big Dee herself. Her last comment to Maggie saying she should become someone shows that she disrespects all the work her mother puts into their farm, and she is basically degrading Maggie’s accomplishments because they are not as wide spread as hers. Therefore Dee’s interpretation of the phases “everyday use” is more of a statuesque approach rather than a humble and appreciative approach.