Southern gothic literature combines both the twisted, horror of gothic writing as well as the romanticism of the American south. The gothic portion comes from 17th century writers of England. While the southern side originates from the post American civil war era. Through this sub genre writers depict antebellum southern society in supernatural or fantastical ways. Often this genre shows the social issues of the American south. In the short story, The Life You Save May be Your Own, by Flannery O’ Connor, she creates a powerfully written Southern Gothic Tale. In this story there are deeply flawed characters, grotesque situations, and a derelict setting. A critical aspect of a Southern Gothic Tale are the flawed characters that inhabit them. The character Tom T. Shiftlet exemplifies such a character. One of Shiftlet’s major flaws is his deceptive nature. Shiftlet uses guile to gain the trust of Lucynell Crater and then betrays that trust by later abandoning her helpless daughter at a truck stop. It states, “And I wouldn't let no man have her but you because I seen you would do right” (Page 7) This quote shows how Lucynell has come to fully trust Shiftlet with her precious daughter. Another flaw in Shiftlet is his misplaced sense of righteousness. Through out the whole story Shiftlet exhibits no remorse for how he how was tricking the Crater family. This aspect of his character is shown even further when he picks up the hitchhiking boy at the edge of the road. The boy talks badly about his mother which offends Shiftlet to great lengths, even causing him to call to God to wipe away the “scum” of the earth. It states, “Mr. Shiftlet felt that the rottenness of the world was about to engulf him. He raised his arm and let it fall again to his breast. "Oh Lord!" he prayed. "Break forth and wash the slime from this earth” (Page 10) This quote reveals Shiftlet’s misplaced sense of righteousness as he calls for God’s wrath d