Read the excerpt from flannery o’connor’s “the life you save may be your own.” the daughter could not see far in front of her and continued to play with her fingers. although the old woman lived in this desolate spot with only her daughter and she had never seen mr. shiftlet before, she could tell, even from a distance, that he was a tramp and no one to be afraid of. his left coat sleeve was folded up to show there was only half an arm in it and his gaunt figure listed slightly to the side as if the breeze were pushing him. he had on a black town suit and a brown felt hat that was turned up in the front and down in the back and he carried a tin tool box by a handle. he came on, at an amble, up her road, his face turned toward the sun which appeared to be balancing itself on the peak of a small mountain. what technique does o’connor use in the paragraph to create compelling characters? detailed descriptions vivid dialogue multiple settings believable motivations

The best answer for this question would be:

detailed descriptions

The excerpt had stated the characters characteristics through the author’s vivid detail of their faces of their clothes and what they are wearing, so that the readers would have an idea where the stry is going through.

Detailed descriptions.

The author uses a detailed description to provide the reader with a proper understanding of the setting of the story. This part focuses on the details of Mr. Shiftlet, by painting a picture of his dress, the color of his dress and his mannerisms, which allows the reader to mentally visualize how he would look like.  

Further Explanation:

The resultant image is a physically challenged man, with a slightly bent frame. The lack of baggage on the man except a tin toolbox suggests that he does not have any worthy possessions or a place to sleep for the night. We can also visualize the old woman’s daughter, who was also physically challenged, meaning she was mute and did not have great eyesight. The man’s only clothes on him reflect his poverty, and his appearance into the old lady’s home can be seen as disturbing their daily lives, or the anticipation of something new for them, in this dreary life.  

The story has a humorous stance and is replete with a vivid sense of imagery and symbolism. The characters in the story are engaged in a constant bid to gain an advantage for each other, for each believes that the other has some significant usage for the other. A careful analysis of the literary structures within the story brings out the anagogical vision of the author, which means the author’s visions in order to amplify the meaning of the story. She has also employed other literary techniques such as color imagery, which means the description of colors, analogies and similes. Also, there are references to traditional symbologies in this story.

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Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Chapter: The Life you save may be your own.

Subject: English

Keywords:

Humor, color imagery, detailed description, simile, anagogical vision, symbology, analogy, reader’s visualization.

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