In The Life You Save May Be Your Own, Tom T. Shiftlet is initially characterized by the old woman as "no one to be afraid of" (216). Flannery O'Conner changes your perception of him through her writing when the reader sees that his behavior indicates he is a spiritually meaningless man with a shifty personality. O'Connor's use of language also emphasizes Mr. Shiftlet's empty life as we see him grow bitter and self-righteous.
             When Mr. Shiftlet is first introduced, the old woman, Lucynell, can immediately tell that he is a tramp. Despite Mr. Shiftlet's half left arm, the old woman agrees to provide him food and a place to sleep if he fixes up her plantation. O'Connor lets us know right away that although on the surface Mr. Shiftlet is polite and shows manners, (he tips his hat to the old woman's deaf daughter, also named Lucynell) he has "a look of composed dissatisfaction as if he understood life thoroughly (216)". In his first few minutes of conversation with the old woman Mr. Shiftlet makes a point of saying "people'll do anything" (217), and "people don't care how they lie" (218). These examples show you Mr. Shiftlet's unclear and untrustworthy nature. He believes he has all the answers to life.
             While it may seem that Mr. Shiftlet is content with his agreement with the old woman, O'Connor slyly implies that he is motivated by something else. He takes an unusual amount of interest in the rusted automobile the old woman owns, and ultimately makes it run again. The same day he gets the car operating, the old woman suggests that he marry Lucynell. One can't help but sense this is part of Mr. Shiftlet's unknown plan. He then asks for money to take Lucynell on a nice honeymoon, and explains that "a man is divided into two parts, body and spirit (220)". He enlightens her that a body i
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