Student Question
In "The Life You Save May Be Your Own," what does "His figure formed a crooked cross" mean?
Quick answer:
The phrase "His figure formed a crooked cross" symbolizes Mr. Shiftlet's flawed and spiritually weak nature, likening him to a distorted Christ-like figure. This imagery evokes Jesus carrying the cross, suggesting Shiftlet's search for meaning and redemption. Despite his appreciation for nature and philosophical questioning, he is depicted as a morally ambiguous character, as indicated by his name "Shiftlet," hinting at his need for salvation.
This is a reference to Mr. Shiftlet's lost and spiritually weak personality--he is being represented as a Christ-like figure. The fact that "his figure formed a crooked cross" is a very much similiar to the image of Jesus carrying the cross upon which He was crucified to the hill through town. It is certain that Shiflet is searching for something that will give meaning to his life, but we don't know just what. This is similar to Jesus' searching for lost souls to bring to Christianity.
Shiftlet is appreciative of nature and asks questions to make people think about where they are and where they want to be in life...very much like Jesus did with his parables.
He is in need of saving himself, since he is a shifty character which is obvious by the name O'Conner has chosen for him.
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