Final answer:
In 'The Life You Save May Be Your Own,' Mr. Shiftlet initially aligns with Christian symbols as a carpenter and philosopher, likened to Jesus. However, his actions of deception and abandonment starkly contradict the Christian virtues, revealing a deeper theme of pretense and self-interest in O'Connor's work.
Step-by-step explanation:
The short story 'The Life You Save May Be Your Own' by Flannery O'Connor is replete with Christian imagery, much of which is mirrored in the actions and character of Mr. Shiftlet. Mr. Shiftlet initially presents himself in a way that seems to align with Christian virtues with his carpenter-like skills and philosophical musings on the nature of good and evil. These characteristics seem to draw parallels with Jesus, who was a carpenter and a moral teacher. However, as the story progresses, Mr. Shiftlet's actions begin to contradict the Christian symbols that envelop him. Despite his early pretense of righteousness and talks of honesty, he ends up deceiving the old woman and abandoning her mentally challenged daughter, Lucynell, which is starkly against Christian teachings.
In the realm of Christian typology, for example, there are many parallels depicted between stories from the Hebrew Bible and the life of Christ as seen in Christian art and literature. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac, as an instance of this typology, prefigures Christ's sacrifice. Yet, Mr. Shiftlet's selfish actions and ultimate abandonment of Lucynell can be seen as a direct contradiction to the notion of sacrifice for others, one of the central tenets of Christianity. The idea of salvation, a pivotal theme in the story's imagery and symbols, thus becomes a doubled-edged motif; it is highlighted through the juxtaposition of what Mr. Shiftlet could have represented versus what he ended up embodying.
While Mr. Shiftlet may at first appear as a potential hero or savior figure, he ultimately betrays these expectations, embodying a form of trickery that is a central element in the complexity of O'Connor's characters. The story's exploration of people not being who they seem and the masks they wear is vividly encapsulated in Mr. Shiftlet's character arc. His journey from a presumed Christ-like figure to one who acts antithetically to the Christian ideology serves as a critical commentary on the facades individuals may present and the realities that lie beneath them.