Read the sentence from Flannery O’Connor’s “The Life You Save May Be Your Own.” The ugly words settled in Mr. Shiftlet’s head like a group of buzzards in the top of a tree. How does the simile in the sentence develop the Southern gothic character of Mr. Shiftlet? The image hints at Mr. Shiftlet’s pending tragic death. The image emphasizes that Mr. Shiftlet lives in an uncaring world. The image reminds readers that Mr. Shiftlet is a damaged character. The image reveals that Mr. Shiftlet will leave Lucynell behind.