Nostalgic finales just seem too good to be real with the picturesque happy endings that usually conclude fairy tales; not with Flannery O'Connor's writing, which depicts sarcasm with disturbing twists and biting characters. One of O'Connor's most successful works, "The Life You Save May Be Your Own", embodies his writing style which is generally considered by many to be grotesque and sardonic. This short story represents the antithesis of a fairy tale, ingeniously distorting its vital elements - the damsel in distress (Lucynell, the daughter), the mother (Mrs. Lucynell Crates) and the knight in shining armor (Mr. Shiftlet) - to In doing so, readers see the latent malevolence of all human beings. Paying close attention to each fictional element of the story, O'Connor conveys his message effectively by contrasting hideousness with beauty. She effectively uses liars to demonstrate the truth. O'Connor's deep perspective is evident in the way she inflicts ruthless challenges on the story's characters. The damsel in distress in this story in no way exemplifies a typical charming lady from a fairy tale. If we ask someone to define the female protagonist of a story, we might imagine a girl with long blonde hair and dreamy blue eyes that project an angelic presence. An angelic quality is perhaps the only positive trait that Lucynell possesses. Although Lucynell overall is not a character you want to embody, this character remains the only trace of purity and redemption in the story. However unfavorable Lucynell's naivety may be, anyone would be guilty of betraying such a kind of innocence. This is why Shiftlet's abandonment of Lucynell makes him guilty of cheating an innocent woman's trust. Thus, O'Connor attempts to reprimand every naive young woman of her inherent vulnerability which presents an opportunity to be exploited by any deceitful and malicious person. As a message to every woman, O'Connor conveys the unreality of any woman embodying the illusory qualities described in fairy tales. Although not of the same intensity as Lucynell's tribulation, each woman has imperfections that distinguish her from the divinity represented by maidens in fairy tales. Since no goddess of beauty actually exists, O'Connor employs the other extreme, the antithesis of an enchantress, to thwart expectations. The mother in a fairy tale is generally classified into one of two categories: either an evil stepmother or a fairy god. mother. In "The Life You Save Can Be Yours", the character of Mrs..