Symbol. A symbol is a thing that stands for or represents both itself and something else. As you read, identify what might be symbolized by the Christ-like stance of Mr. Shiftlet at the beginning of the story and the “turnip” storm at the end.
Southern Gothic. Southern Gothic is writing containing elements of horror, suspense, mystery, or magic, produced in or set in the southern United States. In “The Life You Save May Be Your Own,” the element of Southern Gothic horror is partially found in the deformities of the characters and setting.
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Peopled by con men, criminals, the maimed, deformed, and the insane, O’Connor’s stories have been called “dark,” “grotesque,” “bizarre,” and even “comic.” The characters in “The Life You Save May Be Your Own” include a man with an amputated arm and a young woman who is deaf and mentally handicapped. The central concern in this story and in much of O’Connor’s fiction is the abstract idea of good and evil. A devout Roman Catholic throughout her life, the author believed in a spiritual center and an acceptance of divine grace in people’s lives.
As you read, make a cluster chart in which you list these deformities. One example has been done for you.
What qualities do you need to see in a stranger before you can trust him or her?
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