The Life You Save May Be Your Own

Multiple Choice

1. A (Paragraph 5)

2. B (Paragraph 34)

3. C (Paragraph 96)

4. A (Paragraph 89)

5. B (Various paragraphs)

6. D (Paragraphs 68-69)

7. A (Paragraphs 91-96)

8. C (Various paragraphs)

Long Answer

1. One potential reason is because the title lends to a double meaning that reflects a theme in the story. As Mr. Shiftlet is driving to Mobile after having abandoned Lucynell at a diner, he sees an occasional sign that warns, “Drive carefully. The life you save may be your own” (Paragraph 89). While, taken at face value, the sign issues a literal warning for drivers to be aware as driving, it also appeals to the driver’s sense of selfishness and self-preservation. This invocation echoes The Possibility of Salvation within the story, as that potential to consider others above oneself and to achieve a sort of salvation presents itself to Mrs. Crater and to Mr. Shiftlet. Both, however, fail and reject salvation by opting to “save their own lives” through deception instead. (Various paragraphs)

2. Mr. Shiftlet’s repetition of the phrase suggests that he likes the sound of it and feels he can use it effectively for his own purposes. He takes ownership of it the way he took ownership of the car. At the same time, he may have felt moved by the boy’s words, causing him to reflect on the pain he caused another innocent victim, his own mother.