Red Sam

A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor

The whole scene with red Sam and the Grand Mother is an odd one to me as it seems as it is a place for a lot of foreshadowing, but I believe that there is a little more to tell.  The first thing that needs to be unwrapped, is the character Sam. Readers are able to believe that he is a Veteran of  the war and now a cook at his famous Barbecue restaurant and gas station.  

He does say some things that are very odd as if he is enlightened by the Grand Mother. When the two spoke about "better times", I wonder what they spoke about.  I assumed at first glance it was nothing to really worry about. However, as I looked at the text again it seemed as if they interaction was similar to the ending interaction between the Misfit and her. How, just like the Misfit he was engaged to make conclusion into his own life.

"Two fellers come in here last week," Red Sammy said, "driving a Chrysler. It was a old beat-up car but it was a good one and these boys looked all right to me. Said they worked at the mill and you know I let them fellers charge the gas they bought? Now why did I do that?"

"Because you're a good man!" the grandmother said at once.

"Yes'm, I suppose so," Red Sam said as if he were struck with this answer.(Page 141 and 142)

Now I can't figure out why he is good, is it really "good" to allow people to fill gas probably without paying or they paid, but put a lot more in then they should. It still makes a mystery at least for me to understand Sam, because I feel he is more to depict from this fat veteran and wonder what he is figuring out in his mind about this answer he came up with.

Another instance where I feel he come to another conclusion is when speaking of the Misfit with the Grandmother. Here the Grand Mother is cut off in her speech by Sam. I always wondered why this interruption occurs: "I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he didn't attract this place right here," said the woman. "If he hears about it being here,I wouldn't be none surprised to see him. If he hears it's two cent in the cash register, I wouldn't be a tall surprised if he . . ."

"That'll do," Red Sam said. "Go bring these people their Co'-Colas," and the woman went off to get the rest of the order. This is a similar event to the ending when the Misfit cuts off the Grand Mother is mentioning the Misfit as her child. The whole interaction could be nothing however, I believe that there is more to tell and would like to hear some peoples' ideas on this matter.