How Does Shiftlet Use Color Imagery To Represent Shiflet?

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The use of color imagery is used to represent Shiflet such as the color green which Shiftlet paints the car with. While being a symbol of hope and spring, it has also been considered sign of charity and the redemption of the soul through good works. However the color yellow which is the color of the band he paints over the green, and of the moon which appears in the branches of the fig tree, is frequently used to suggest a hellish light, betrayal, and treason. This is also shown through his name as Shiftlet or shifty suggests possible deviousness but can also represent the idea of a shift or a change. Shiftlet embodies the word "shifty." He likes to ask philosophical questions like, "What is a man?" and talk about how "rotten" the world is, …show more content…

Not only is she deaf and mute, which makes her unheard and silent, but when Shiftlet arrives at Mrs Crater’s home, Lucynell is dressed in a blue organdy dress which displays an imagery of the Virgin Mary. The use of color imagery is also present when her mother is talking to Shiftlet on the porch the reader learns that Lucynell has blue eyes described as “as blue as a peacock's neck” in page 38. This gives an idea of Lucynell being innocent and heavenly. Likewise when Lucynell marries Shiftlet she is dressed in white which shows purity. The name Crater suggests a void or emptiness, as if is something is missing. The name is used to show an element of foreshadowing as Shiftlet's promise to "save" Lucynell through marriage proves …show more content…

Shiftlet wants the car because he believes it is something that will define him as successful and Mrs Crater wants to find a son in law who will marry Lucynell and look after her and the farm. Both have selfish goals and in some ways are both betraying the innocent Lucynell. They are both thinking about themselves rather than about Lucynell. O'Connor also uses the word "casket" rather than "chest" or "box" of jewels when said “I wouldn’t give her up for a casket of jewels.” in page 41, thereby reminding the reader of the coffin imagery associated with the car. This again helps link Mrs. Crater with Shiftlet, as they are both pursuing material goals and both surrendering the spiritual goal represented by the innocent Lucynell, actions which lead them to their spiritual

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