Billy Ray Lewis
Professor Lewis
English 102
25 February 2021
Outline
Broad Subject: Morality
Specific Topic: Shiftlet’s distorted sense of morality
Thesis Statement: In Flannery O’Connor’s “The Life You Save May Be
Your Own,” Shiftlet, a mean-spirited loner with distorted morals,
abandons an innocent girl who has been victimized by her mental and
physical limitations.
Supporting Points:
1. Shiftlet’s calculating nature
2. Shiftlet’s plans of escape
3. Shiftlet’s abandonment of the young girl
Supporting Statements:
1. Shiftlet portrays himself as a man of honesty, but his selfish concern
for himself reveals his calculating nature.
2. Although Shiftlet pretends to be interested in Lucynell, he
strategically plots his escape from her.
3. Leaving nothing to chance, Shiftlet ultimately abandons
Lucynel without her mother's knowledge.
Concluding Statement: Shiftlet is a deceitful drifter who remains true
to his character, further victimizing a young girl who is mentally and
physically incapable of preventing what is happening to her.
Title: Flannery O'Connor's "The Life You Save May Be Your Own"
Mode of Development (type of writing): Character Analysis
5 paragraphs
I. Introduction
A. Introduce the broad topic of morality
B. Provide background information on Flannery O’Connor and the short story “The Life You Save May Be Your Own”
C. Present thesis statement outlining Shiftlet’s distorted sense of morality
II. Shiftlet’s calculating nature
A. Discuss how Shiftlet portrays himself as honest but reveals his selfish concerns
B. Provide examples from the text demonstrating Shiftlet’s calculating nature
III. Shiftlet’s plans of escape
A. Examine Shiftlet’s feigned interest in Lucynell as a means to an end
B. Analyze how Shiftlet strategically plans his escape from his responsibilities
IV. Shiftlet’s abandonment of the young girl
A. Describe how Shiftlet leaves nothing to chance in his abandonment of Lucynell
B. Discuss the impact of Shiftlet’s abandonment on Lucynell and her mother
V. Conclusion
A. Summarize Shiftlet’s deceitful nature and victimization of Lucynell
B. Reiterate thesis statement and overall analysis of Shiftlet’s distorted sense of morality
C. End with a closing statement on the consequences of Shiftlet’s actions in “The Life You Save May Be Your Own”