The Life You Save May Be Your Own by Flannery O'Connor

Religion and nature are both thought to bring beauty to life. Religion gives some a purpose to live while for others, nature provides a natural escape from the problems of modern day life. However, author Flannery O’ Connor uses both of these elements in her short story, The Life You Save May Be Your Own, for a different purpose. Religion and nature provide the reader with insight into the main character, Tom Shiflet, a troubled drifter with one arm who comes into the lives of the Crater women and leaves them abruptly. Shiflet’s moral corruption is represented in the story’s weather change and the numerous Christian symbols that surround the various characters.

The introductory sunset and clear blue sky correspond to Shiflet’s opportunity to live a good and moral life. The story begins with Mr. Shiflet appearing before both Crater women as the sun is setting. The women see him approaching as they are sitting on their porch yet they are blinded by the sun light as Shiflet cannot help but notice the beauty. Shiflet “came on, at an amble, up her road, his face turned toward the sun which appeared to be balancing itself on the peak of a small mountain” (Connor 437). After this, Shiflet remarks to Mrs. Crater, “I’d give a fortune to live where I could see me a sun do that every evening” (438). Shiflet arrives at the Crater household as a drifter, someone who has left his old life behind and is searching for a new beginning. Likewise the sunset is the closing of the day’s chapter, which brings about a sense of renewal and anticipation for tomorrow. The glorious image of the sunset between the mountains emphasizes the potential for Tom Shiflet to find peace in this new place. The magnificence of the sunset at the beginning of the stor...

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...on of the women to angels serves to highlight their virtue and point out that the women were undeserving of the disgraceful treatment they received at the hands of Tom Shiflet. The angelic nature of women intensifies the wickedness of Tom Shiflet as his cruelty is directed at those who deserve his love and affection.

Tom Shiflet’s sinful nature is highlighted by both the Christian symbols present in the story and in the changing weather that accompanies his immoral act. A quiet life with Lucynell was not meant to be for Tom Shiflet, much to the dismay of Mrs. Crater. While Tom’s actions are by no means justified, one cannot overlook the fact that both these women were forcing Tom to change into something he was not. Tom was never meant to live the quiet married life, he was a drifter, a backcountry traveler who stopped to admire the sunset, and left under a cloud.