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Ok I had never heard of this story nor read anything by O’Conner before so once I got to the end of this story I was completely shocked! I also think I missed a lot of symbolism on my first read through.
I think she did have good intentions. Seemed she wanted to help Harry from the beginning of the story and felt sorry for his lot in life.
Mr. Paradise!! What on earth. I thought he was coming to help the boy! I guess not. One commentary I read was that he was embodiment of a paradise afterlife. That Harry was leaving his current life situation and was going on to eternal paradise. Hence his seeing his face along as he floated along? Who knows. So odd.
As far as him taking the preacher’s words about the river literally. I think Harry’s life was so bleak he probably was hopefully to be able to reach any physical kingdom more hopeful than his own.