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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 3 page paper which examines the theological themes in Flannery O'Connor's
short story "The Life You Save May Be Your Own." 1 additional source cited.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: JR7_RAflanbe.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
it was preachy, but rather presented in a way that made the reader think about the truth in religion, or perhaps more specifically, the honorable and honest aspects of faith
itself. Her works went beyond formal religion in many ways, although there were always elements of Biblical teachings as well as criticisms of teachings or tendencies within formal religion. With
that in mind the following paper examines her short story "The Life You Save May Be Your Own" as it involves themes of theology. Theological Themes In this
story we have an old woman and her daughter, Lucynell. These women were approached by a man, Mr. Shiflet, a man whose name even seems to be offered as suspicious
and less than trustworthy. However, as one critic notes, "Her character Tom T. Shiflet is portrayed paradoxically as both the embodiment of Christ and an immoral, utterly selfish miscreant. By
presenting these polarities side by side within one persona, OConnor shows the dichotomies between so-called Christian morality and the reality of the Church" (Shaeffer-Foley). Interestingly enough, this dual nature is
seen in the fascination that the women have for the man as well. He gives them little reason to trust him yet this keeps them interested even more, thus providing
us with the dual nature of formal religion as it teaches one thing but does another. In the beginning we see Mr. Shiflet as harmless and generous. "As he
approaches the Craters home he swung both his whole and his short arm up slowly so that they indicated an expanse of sky and his figure formed a crooked cross.
(146) In order to emphasize his humility and goodness, Tom has been cast as a one-arm jackleg (as he so eloquently puts it)" (Shaeffer-Foley). We see that he is
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