The Displaced Person
The Displaced Person
Book Brief
48
Novella • Fiction
Southern United States • 1940s
1955
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In "The Displaced Person," from Flannery O'Connor's 1955 collection A Good Man Is Hard to Find, the Guizac family, Polish refugees freed from World War II death camps, arrives at Mrs. McIntyre’s Georgia dairy farm. Their arrival prompts mixed reactions from the farm's existing workers and the local community, culminating in tragedy and reflecting themes of prejudice and charity. Descriptions of racial prejudice, religious intolerance, and a fatal accident are present in the narrative.
Mysterious
Dark
Unnerving
Melancholic
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
154 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Displaced Person by Flannery O'Connor is praised for its poignant exploration of prejudice, displacement, and redemption. Readers commend O'Connor's masterful storytelling and complex characters. Critics note the stark portrayal of human flaws and social issues, though some find the pacing slow and the themes heavy. Overall, it's a profound, thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read The Displaced Person?
A reader who appreciates Southern Gothic literature with complex characters and deep moral questions will enjoy The Displaced Person by Flannery O'Connor. Fans of William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying or Eudora Welty's The Optimist's Daughter who are drawn to themes of displacement, cultural conflict, and redemption will find this novella compelling.
154 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Flannery O'Connor's story, originally published in Harper's Bazaar in 1955, explores heavy themes through the lens of Southern Gothic literature, a genre she was renowned for.
O'Connor's portrayal of the character Mr. Guizac, a Polish immigrant, reflects her deep interest in the cultural and social issues of the American South during the mid-20th century.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
The story is part of the collection A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories, which remains a significant work in American fiction, showcasing O'Connor's unique style and thematic concerns.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
48
Novella • Fiction
Southern United States • 1940s
1955
Adult
18+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!