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Tom Shiftlet's The Life You Save May Be Your Own

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“The Life You Save May Be Your Own” In the short story, “The Life you Save May Be Your Own”, the author is more of a pessimist than an optimist. Although Mrs. Lucynell Crater’s personality and characterization has a positive view on life, Tom Shiftlet has more pessimistic views on life. Shiftlet is an example that not everybody is as good as they appear to be. One reason why the author is a pessimist is because Tom mentions that he has no friends a few times throughout the short story. Also, Shiftlet wasn’t satisfied with being married to the younger Lucynell Crater. A final reason why the author is a pessimist is because Tom abandons his deaf and mute “wife” at The Hot Spot restaurant. The author is more of a pessimist than an optimist in …show more content…
He also tries to make people feel sorry for him. Shiftlet brought up negative things about his life, such as no money and friends, numerous times in the story. For example, when Shiftlet is wandering around near the Crater’s porch towards the beginning of the story, the elder Lucynell Crater realizes that he is a tramp. This means that Shiftlet travels by foot to look and possibly beg for any type of work. When Shiftlet goes to talk to the elder Lucynell, he asks about the car and says he doesn’t have many friends to turn …show more content…
The elder Mrs. Lucynell Crater has more optimistic and positive views on life. However, Tom Shiftlet is more of a pessimist, and his thoughts and actions can prove it. One reason why the author is a pessimist is because he mentions he has no friends a few times throughout the story. Also, Shiftlet wasn’t happy being married to the younger Lucynell Crater, and had a negative tone about getting married. A final reason why the author is a pessimist is because Tom abandons his new “wife” at the Hot Spot restaurant instead of helping her home and staying with her. In conclusion, the author is more of a pessimist than an optimist in the short story, “The Life You Save May Be Your

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