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How Is The Life You Save May Be Your Own Theme Of Corruption

779 Words4 Pages

The question that roams the minds of many is, do people choose to be corrupt? Flannery O'Connor has this question set on the minds of many after reading her short story “The Life You Save May Be Your Own”. Set in the countryside, a mysterious, one-armed man, named Mr. Shiftlet, approaches the yard of old Lucynell Crater and her deaf daughter young Lucynell Crater. Shiftlet asks Mrs. Crater for work and a place to stay. The man initially is there for the old car in Mrs. Crater's garage, but she makes him work for it. Seeing Shiftlet as a gateway to get rid of her daughter, young Lucynell Crater, makes a deal with the man basically stating, to get the car he must marry her daughter. After marrying Mrs. Crater's daughter, he abandons her at a …show more content…

Firstly, Mrs. Crater's actions shows corruption of mankind. For example, in the beginning of the story Mrs. Crater was using Mr. Shiftlet for house work and marriage. While Mrs. Crater was using Mr. Shiftlet for what she wanted, her actions caused her to treat young Lucynell “as an object to be traded” (Encyclopedia.com). Because Mrs. Crater is only concerned with her wants, the reader begins to see some evidence of immoral behavior. Another example of characterization comes from Mr. Shiftlet actions. From the start of the story, Shiftlet begins to work for money to repair the car. Shiftlet later finds out, in order to obtain the car, he must marry young Lucynell. Hearing that Mrs.Crater would provide him with money for the wedding, he began to be more concerned with the money than young Lucynell. His selfish actions prove that “money has become more important than people” (Encyclopedia.com). Furthermore clarifying humans are morally …show more content…

For example, in the beginning of the story Mr. Shiftlet takes a interest to an old ford “automobile” (O'Connor 860). Shiftlet offers to fix the car. When Shiftlet fixes the car and goes off on his honeymoon with young Lucynell, he abandoned her at a roadside hot spot. Apparently he believed that having a car of his own would fulfill his needs of obtaining freedom. Shiftlet's actions prove that people “who prize cars over human relations are capable of self-deception but not self-fulfillment” (Encyclopedia.com). Another example of symbolism comes from Mr. Shiftlet. Towards the end of the story, Mr. Shiftlet picked up a “hitchhiker” (O'Connor 866). Feeling depressed for abandoning Lucynell, Mr. Shiftlet picks up a “hitchhiker” from the side of the road. Shiftlet's reasoning in doing such was to grasp redemption. After being yelled at by the young boy Shiftlet “is bluntly reminded of the lack of a religious presence in his rootless existence” (Encylcopedia.com). Shiftlet cannot avoid that he is now empty and wanting once again. The examples of symbolism moreover show the corruption throughout

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