Good Country People - take two

I think the first time I read this story, I was getting Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman confused. That said, I think it is very interesting that the story opens with a description of Mrs. Freeman, not Mrs. Hopewell, when Mrs. Hopewell becomes more of a central character than she does. Once Joy is introduced, the emphasis does seem to shift subtly to the Hopewells. Sure, Mrs. Freeman and her two "fine girls" are always present, but the focus seems to be on their relation to the Hopewells. I am wondering why O'Connor may be introducing the story this way only to shift such a focus to other characters.

Also, my second main thought in re-reading was Joy/Hulga's choice to go with the Bible salesman. She seems like such a strong-willed character. What on earth did she see in Manly Pointer?? I wish we could get the dialogue between the two in the front yard that night he leaves the house. From what we get of her character, it seems like she would accept no man other than a fellow PhD-holder, but Manly Pointer seems so beneath what she thinks of herself.

If we view this in terms of the setting, the country, could it be a statement on the seclusion of such places? If we look at the Tarwater place in The Violent Bear it Away and the homestead in "The Life you Save...," it seems as though these country places of O'Connor's are very secluded and isolated. Could the pickings merely be that slim for Joy/Hulga?