The introduction and progression of a protagonist’s tragic flaws are often the driving force of a plot’s conflict. These imperfections are usually a particular vice, and therefore, reveal the humanity of the character. St. Cyril of Jerusalem stated, “The dragon is by the side of the road, watching those who pass. Beware lest he devour you. We go to the father of souls, but it is necessary to pass by the dragon.” He was expressing the tendency of human nature to succumb to temptation, and indicating the dismal end that awaits those who do. In her short stories “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” “The Life You Save Might Be Your Own,” and “The Displaced Person,” Flannery O’Connor confirms the ideology of St. Cyril by demonstrating the destructive
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Shiftlet’s self-righteous vanity in “The Life You Save Might Be Your Own.” Tom T. Shiftlet is a disabled wanderer and, therefore, has adapted to be a staunch opportunist. When he arrives on the destitute property of Mrs. Crater and her deaf-mute daughter, he acts according to this nature. He exploits Mrs. Crater’s ravenous desire for a son-in-law in order to obtain the automobile parked in her lawn and some petty cash, originally designated for the honeymoon. Shiftlet begins his trek for Mobile, deserting Lucynelle at a diner hundreds of miles from her home. While continuing on the road, he spies a boy who has run away from home, and despite his recent abandonment of his hapless bride, offers the boy a ride through the influence of a sense of duty to others. A tirade of hypocritical moral stances ensues as Shiftlet chastises the boy, who brashly retorts and ejects from the still-moving automobile. Tempted by false indignation, Shiftlet exclaims, “ Oh Lord! Break forth and wash the slime from this earth!” This encounter exposes Mr. Shiftlet’s errant morality and vanity as he prays that God smite the rottenness of the world, a body into which he would fit due to his recent sinful behavior. Had his outcry been answered, Mr. Shiftlet’s self-righteousness would have been his …show more content…
Shortley’s depiction within “The Displaced Person,” further validates the repercussions of a vane life. Retaining an elevated position in Mrs. McIntyre’s workforce, Mrs. Shortley utilizes her wit and influence to create a mistrust of the Guizacs in Astor and Sulk. Believing in her own supremacy as a white American, she is nefariously xenophobic, and sows divisive rumors about the immigrant family jeopardizing the jobs of the black farm hands. However, when Mr. Guizac proves to be a skilled and determined worker, it is her husband’s position which is at stake, jointly placing her in a perilous state. Her condescending hatred of the immigrants smolders, and she becomes frantic at the thought of losing her stature. This prideful mindset sends her spiraling into paranoia, which culminates into a frenzied insistence upon her husband that they leave rather than be fired. Tragically, she is unable to handle to stress and fearful state and suffers a fatal stroke. As Mrs. Shortley gave into the paranoia caused by her vanity of racial and social superiority to the immigrants, she simultaneously begot her own
Shiftlet’s self-righteous vanity in “The Life You Save Might Be Your Own.” Tom T. Shiftlet is a disabled wanderer and, therefore, has adapted to be a staunch opportunist. When he arrives on the destitute property of Mrs. Crater and her deaf-mute daughter, he acts according to this nature. He exploits Mrs. Crater’s ravenous desire for a son-in-law in order to obtain the automobile parked in her lawn and some petty cash, originally designated for the honeymoon. Shiftlet begins his trek for Mobile, deserting Lucynelle at a diner hundreds of miles from her home. While continuing on the road, he spies a boy who has run away from home, and despite his recent abandonment of his hapless bride, offers the boy a ride through the influence of a sense of duty to others. A tirade of hypocritical moral stances ensues as Shiftlet chastises the boy, who brashly retorts and ejects from the still-moving automobile. Tempted by false indignation, Shiftlet exclaims, “ Oh Lord! Break forth and wash the slime from this earth!” This encounter exposes Mr. Shiftlet’s errant morality and vanity as he prays that God smite the rottenness of the world, a body into which he would fit due to his recent sinful behavior. Had his outcry been answered, Mr. Shiftlet’s self-righteousness would have been his …show more content…
Shortley’s depiction within “The Displaced Person,” further validates the repercussions of a vane life. Retaining an elevated position in Mrs. McIntyre’s workforce, Mrs. Shortley utilizes her wit and influence to create a mistrust of the Guizacs in Astor and Sulk. Believing in her own supremacy as a white American, she is nefariously xenophobic, and sows divisive rumors about the immigrant family jeopardizing the jobs of the black farm hands. However, when Mr. Guizac proves to be a skilled and determined worker, it is her husband’s position which is at stake, jointly placing her in a perilous state. Her condescending hatred of the immigrants smolders, and she becomes frantic at the thought of losing her stature. This prideful mindset sends her spiraling into paranoia, which culminates into a frenzied insistence upon her husband that they leave rather than be fired. Tragically, she is unable to handle to stress and fearful state and suffers a fatal stroke. As Mrs. Shortley gave into the paranoia caused by her vanity of racial and social superiority to the immigrants, she simultaneously begot her own