Names in "Good Country People"

I took a particular interest in the names of the characters in “Good Country People”. I think many of the characters are cleverly labeled. Each name seems to describe, in some way, a certain characteristic or personality trait of that specific individual. Mrs. Hopewell, a lively and happy woman, believes just as her name implies; she hopes that all goes well or better yet she hopes that all is well that ends well; in other words, problems to not matter as long as the outcome is good. Mrs. Hopewell believes in the good country people, like Manley Pointer. She believes that “good country people are the salt of the earth” (O’Connor 271). I found Joy Hopewell’s name particularly interesting. Her name was Joy however she changes it to Hulga, which is described as “the ugliest name in any language” (O’Connor 266). After Joy loses her leg as a child she no longer has joy or hope in her life and therefore has the need to change her name to show how she feels. Since, Hulga is described as ugly, she must see herself as ugly. The Freeman family, however, does not portray what their name suggests. Instead, they are the opposite of their name. Mr. Freeman works for Mrs. Hopewell as a farmer, so in a way he is not a free man because he works under someone; someone else controls his money and living arrangements. O’Conner uses this name play very skillfully, because it adds to the readers understanding of the characters.