Allusions
Imagery
Decay
Key Moments
Names
100

An individual whose name alludes to their use of sexuality to get what they want.

What is Manley Pointer?

100

Another example of peacock imagery in the short story.

What is the grass which looks like "two green swelling lakes?"

100

Hulga's character, which insists there is nothing behind or beyond the surface world, waivers at moment.

What is the moment where Manley Pointer reveals he is not who he claims to be?

100

The place where Hulga loses her leg while she's accompanied by Manley Pointer.

What is the old barn loft?

100

The name change that Joy made.

What is Joy changed her name to Hulga (repeatedly noted to be ugly) to represent joy diminishing from her life?

200

The biblical allusion when Manley Pointer's reflection appeared on the body of water "green swelling lake" as he fled the barn.

What is Jesus walking on water?

200

The presence of this building adds to the landscape of the gothic south.

What is the old barn where Hulga is left stranded?

200

The connection between Manley Pointer and Hulga which leads to chinks in Hulga's philosophical armor.

What is heart issues?

200

The way Mrs. Hopewell describes the good country people.

What is the "salt of the earth"?

200

Mrs. Freeman

What is Mrs. Freeman wasn't really a free woman because of her work for Mrs. Hopewell (despite having a less maive understanding of the world around her)?

300

One example of peacock imagery in the short story.

What is Hulga is "as sensitive about her artificial leg as a peacock is about his tail"?

300

what is Mrs. Hopewell's flawed/broken perception of society?

Mrs. Hopewell considers "poor" and "uncultured" people "trash" and in a lighter perspective she perceives lively and wholesome and moderately substantial people "good country people"

300

The moment of grace that is experienced by Hulga.

What is the moment when Hulga realized Manley Pointer, who she related with intimately, stole her artificial wooden leg?

300
Glynis & Caramae

What is they were nicknamed "Glycerin" and "Caramel" by Hulga, and Mrs. Hopewell thought of them as sweet young women?

400

How does Hulga's artificial leg represent decay?

The leg represents her broken identity. Her self-image has decayed in response to the loss of her leg. 

400

What is the moment of violence

Manley Pointer steals Hulga's glasses and leg leaving her helplessly behind in the barn.

400

Mrs. Hopewell

Hope and well have two positive connotations. Regarding Mrs. Hopewell, it's a little ironic considering her flawed character. For example, the way she treats her daughter and views Mrs. Freeman

500

This name represents the sexual give away (per say) of a man who is ironically imitating a pure religious figure. This name exposes his true desires.

Manley Pointer