The Life You Save May Be Your Own

In both the European and Southern Gothic traditions, characters’ external features often reflect internal traits. Mr. Shiftlet’s partially missing arm therefore indicates that he is incomplete. Whereas Mrs. Crater is missing a husband and Lucynell is missing some mental capacity, Mr. Shiftlet is missing his ability to take part in “functional society.” He lacks the ability to commit to others—to care for them long term.

Ironically, Mr. Shiftlet is perfectly capable of doing carpentry and fixing things on the farm, making him “handy.” He does not lack the ability to help others, but his appearance causes him to appear useless in those people’s prejudiced eyes. This makes Mrs. Crater think that she can use him, just as he thinks he can use her. Rather than helping one another, they exploit one another’s weaknesses.

Mr. Shiftlet is, in more ways than one, a man divided. He says as much: “Lady, a man is divided into two parts, body and spirit. […] The body, lady, is like a house: it don’t go anywhere; but the spirit, lady, is like a automobile: always on the move” (Paragraphs 66-68). He views his “spirit” as separate from his body and seeks to find succor only in movement.