In A Good Man Is Hard to Find, Flannery O’Connor reveals the physical struggle of Ruby, the protagonist, and her inner struggle to accept her pregnancy in In a Stroke of Good Fortune, burdened by her physical and emotional load as she trudges up the stairs, Ruby feels daunted by impending motherhood, which manifests as rejection of her pregnancy, and exemplifies her desire for control over her life. As she climbs the stairs, the minor characters assist Ruby, propelling her to begin to accept pregnancy and motherhood. Despite their efforts, however, Ruby fails to reach her apartment or accept her pregnancy, demonstrating the individual journey to acceptance. The symbolic journey towards acceptance surfaces through Ruby’s physical climb to her apartment.
Ruby’s yearning for total control over her life highlights her distrust and disbelief in the all-knowing God. The root of her denial stems from her marriage and full trust in herself and her husband: “She had married Bill Hill, a Florida man who sold Miracle Pills” (O’Connor, 68). Ruby’s desire to maintain complete control of her own destiny contributes to her disbelief, through rejecting God’s plan and attempting to create her own destiny. The use of Miracle Pills blocks God’s plan for Ruby, and with the failure of these pills it verifies God remains in full control. Ruby remains confident that her husband can take care of aiding her to maintain control over her destiny. She feels she bestows full control over her body, fully capable to take care of herself, “I don’t need to go to no doctor” (78). Rejecting the care of a doctor in her time of “sickness” creates an inner fear of pregnancy, thus displaying her denial. Furthermore, through her ignorance, Ruby progresses into a state of discontent and foolishly believes that she possesses the gift of new life.
Through constant repetition Ruby rejects the pregnancy and yet expresses her fear of the effects a child may have on her life. The craving for total control leaves Ruby all but accepting this change: “I ain’t going to have any baby” (81). The utter rejection of her pregnancy highlights her fears, wanting nothing to do with pregnancy or motherhood. While Ruby also denies the cause behind her physical symptoms leaves her physically trapped. Ruby’s despair stems from her mother’s negative experience: “Her mother had got deader with every one of them” (70). By witnessing her mother die with each child, Ruby cultivated a negative representation of motherhood. She was living in despair that she may experience slow death as well. Anticipating the decline her own destiny through motherhood, Ruby avoids the responsibility of pregnancy. As she advances with her journey up the stairs, she becomes aware and cannot ignore the physical signs any longer.
Each character she encounters reveals a certain truth and guides her towards acceptance. During her pregnancy, her pilgrimage of recognition occurs with each flight she climbs and the characters she meets along the way. The lethargic climb up to her apartment reinforces the symbolic meaning, a slow climb to acknowledgment, and the progression of pregnancy. For example, “By the time she had climbed five steps her breath was gone,” (76). Her inability to walk directly to her door, confirms that the physical journey she embarks on is not an individual journey, but rather it requires the help and guidance of those around her to support and pave the path to acceptance. Ruby relies on the strength and help of others to aid her through this transition.