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
I. Introduction
A. Brief overview of the story
B. Introduction of Shiftlet as the central character with distorted morals
C. Thesis statement
II. Shiftlet’s calculating nature
A. Shiftlet’s initial portrayal of honesty
B. Examples of Shiftlet’s selfish concerns for himself
C. Analysis of how Shiftlet’s actions reveal his calculating nature
III. Shiftlet’s plans of escape
A. Shiftlet’s initial interest in Lucynell
B. Shiftlet’s strategic plotting of his escape
C. Analysis of how Shiftlet’s plans reflect his deceitful nature
IV. Shiftlet’s abandonment of the young girl
A. Shiftlet’s abandonment of Lucynell
B. Shiftlet’s actions towards Lucynell’s mother
C. Analysis of how Shiftlet’s abandonment victimizes Lucynell further
V. Conclusion
A. Restatement of thesis
B. Summary of Shiftlet’s actions and their impact on Lucynell
C. Final thoughts on Shiftlet’s distorted sense of morality in the story