Final answer:
The final paragraphs in Flannery O'Connor's story likely aim to provide closure and a parallel conclusion, re-establishing the story's beginning scene and underscoring thematic elements through the return to Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman's perspective.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of the final paragraphs in Flannery O'Connor's story where the Bible salesman leaves Hulga, but the narrative shifts back to Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman, serves multiple functions. Primarily, it may provide closure to the story by returning to the status quo of the household following the disruption caused by the encounter between Hulga and the salesman. The return to the domestic scene with Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman also emphasizes O'Connor's use of parallel conclusion, establishing a sense of completeness and bringing the reader full circle to the beginning of the narrative.
These final paragraphs can also serve to shift the focus away from Hulga and reframe the story's events from an external perspective, underscoring the narrative's thematic elements, such as the irony of Mrs. Hopewell's name and the superficiality of her optimistic clichés in contrast with Hulga's tragic encounter. Lastly, this ending may not offer a perspective on the Bible salesman's motives or thoughts directly, but the calm domestic scene he leaves behind highlights the impact of his actions, and the conversation between Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman provides further insight into the recurring theme of human nature featured throughout the story.