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The family lost their respect for their grandmother only because she proposed
a different life style. She was part of a Southern aristocratic culture where
people behaved much more conservatively. Her beliefs, attitudes, and morals were
from another time where people respected what older people had to say, and what
they stood for. Naturally, she was never reluctant to share her opinion on
matters, and was a little forceful about sharing her thoughts. She made sure to
watch over her son, and kept a grip on what he did- even as a grown man. She
refused to retire and become a composed old woman. She wanted to stay involved
in the family’s matters, and show that she was still an significant person with
the knowledge that came with her age. Consequently, with all her bickering the
family began to hold a grudge against her. The Grandmother lacked comprehension,
and did not know that she became annoying, but she was not spitefully
bothersome. The reader should notice when the family passes by a cotton field,
five or six graves are exposed, and conceivably, they foreshadow the near
future. Some interesting dialogue takes place when John Wesley asks, Where's the
plantation,” and the grandmother replies, Gone with the Wind.” This is perhaps
another attempt by O'Connor to illustrate the breakdown of the family’s absence
of respect and reverence for the grandmothers’ old life. The family 's encounter
with Red Sammy Butts serves as another outlet for O'Connor to express how trust
and respect have begun to wear away. The reader should note the name of the town
Toombsboro which the family passes through. The grandmother makes the mistake of
telling the children about a house with secret panels that is nearby and
immediately the children start screaming about it until Bailey concedes to visit
the house. However, the cat moves causing Pitty Sing to lurch on Bailey's
shoulder resulting in the car spinning out of control, and ending up in a ditch.
Just as everyone is getting their bearings, a car slowly approaches revealing
three men. When the men get out of their car, the grandmother recognizes the
Misfit at once. Immediately he reveals himself polite sociable criminal, and
even apologizes to the grandmother for Bailey's rudeness to her. However, he
also does not waste any time as he asks one of his associates to escort Bailey
and John Wesley off into the woods to meet their fate. At this point in the
story, the reader should analyze what he knows of the grandmother's character so
far. She will prove to be no match for the Misfit's quick wits. She wanted to
participate in planning where the family was going and because of her insisting
on what they should do, the family is in Toombsboro, stranded with their killer.
Therefore, she tries to talk them out of their predicament. The grandmother
tries to appeal to the Misfit by stating that he is not a bit ordinary.
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