Good Counrty People

I thought this story was very interesting the second time around with the idea of Pointer and the masculine nature of this character throughout the story. Pointer's name the phallic symbol through his name. I also thought it was interesting that the character develops the masculine nature through the illusion he portrays as well as his actual character.

In the illusion he portrays himself as a Bible salesman which in my opinion is a very masculine role during the time period, to be preaching the word of God as well as a salesman. Even though his manipulation of Hulga depends upon his innocence, I feel as if his character still has masculine nature about him, with him asking Hulga to meet him and go with him.

Then when his true character is shown he portrays a more modern man with the brief case of sexual items and the flask. Also he talks her up to the loft and convinces her to show him her leg. Pointer possesses a certain masculine and convincing nature which allows him to take advantage of Hulga.

I was wondering what everyone thought about O'Conner's is saying about men in the story, when she has the embodiment of masculinity abandons the woman who lets her guard down and allows for herself to be dependent upon a man?