The Life You Save May Be Your Own

Today, we had the pleasure of reading The Life You Save May Be Your Own by Flannery O’Connor. While reading Mr. Delacruz asked us to think about what the short story revealed about the nature of human beings.

In the beginning of the story, we meet Shiftlet, who is a hobo that approaches the house of Lucynell Crater and her daughter Lucynell. Shiftlet and Lucynell begin negotiating about Shiftlet living and possibly working at Lucynell’s house. Shiftlet talks about all the things he has done as well as all the things he can do in order to convince Lucynell to allow him to work at her house. By exaggerating his accomplishments, Shiftlet reveals the narcissistic nature of human beings. We all like to think we are the best. Even when we know we aren’t the best at a certain thing, we often make up accomplishments as well as find other things we are good at to compensate for some of our inadequacies. Many people are obsessed with themselves and believe the sun revolve around them. They are the best at everything and have done the most amazing things in the world. The way Shiftlet brags about himself reveals how poisoning cockiness can be to the human brain.

            Another characteristic of human nature uncovered in The Life You Save May Be Your Own is the “every man for himself” kind of attitude. When Shiftlet abandons Lucynell Jr. at the Hot Spot, he was watching out for himself. Heck, he didn’t want to be married to someone who couldn’t even speak, so he bailed! It can also be inferred that all Shiftlet really wanted was to con the car out of Lucynell Sr., which he successfully did, because he ran away with the vehicle. His actions show all he really cared about was himself. Shiftlet didn’t feel an ounce of compassion for either of the Crater’s. All he wanted was the car so he could go on his merry way. In addition, let’s not forget the fact that Lucynell Sr. essentially sold her daughter off to some stranger! What a terrible mother! Lucynell Sr. uses the quotes, “She can sweep the floor, cook, wash, feed the chickens, and hoe,” and “can’t sass you back or use foul language” when advertising her daughter to Shiftlet! How mean! I think this stems from Lucynell’s want to be free of the intensive care her daughter requires. Lucynell Sr. just wants to be free to do as she pleases without the burden of Lucynell Jr. These actions show how humans tend to only look out for what they want and need. Basically, humans are selfish.