Having to choose between doing the right thing or consciously doing the opposite in order to achieve your personal desires can cause emotional conflict. In the stories “Al Roosten” by George Saunders and “The Life You Save May Be Your Own” by Flannery O'Connor, similar observations of the theme of identity and internal conflict are presented. Internal conflict causes frustration and confusion for both characters which reveals that despite the characters knowing what the right thing to do is, they consciously do the opposite. Their emotional struggles with knowing what is right and doing the opposite shows that they are unsure about choosing between the moral thing to do and what they want to do. In Saunder’s story, the internal conflict in …show more content…
Shiftlet both feel guilty at one point in the stories, however they also choose to ignore their conscience and do the opposite in order to achieve their personal desires. Al Roosten tells himself to pick up Donfrey’s wallet but instead, he kicks them under a stack of risers. In addition, Mr. Shiftlet picks up a hitchhiker instead of going back to the restaurant to get Lucynell. Roosten tries to forgive Donfrey by convincing himself that he is a good man, “Donfrey hadn’t done anything to him” However, he chooses to ignore it, “Roosten took a step forward and gave the wallet a kick” (Saunders 99). Roosten knew that the right thing to do is to return the wallet even though he is angry with Donfrey, but he does the opposite by kicking his wallet to get back at Dongrey. In O’Connor’s story, Mr. Shiftlet knew Lucynell and her mother were a good family because they welcomed him to their home but yet he still chooses to leave Lucynell alone in the restaurant. There is verbal irony when Mr.Shiftlet looks for a hitchhiker in the road. For example, Mr. Shiftlet leaves Lucynell and thinks that he should look out for a hitchhiker so he can help them, “He felt too that a man with a car had a responsibility to others and he kept his eye out for a hitchhiker” (O’Connor 155). Mr. Shiftlet is married to Lucynell which means he is responsible for her but instead of going back for her, he looks for a hitchhiker for redemption of leaving Lucynell. In Saunder’s story, Al Roosten knows he is responsible for kicking Donfrey’s keys and wallet but he chooses not to return them to Donfrey. As guilty as Al Roosten and Mr. Shiftlet feels, they do not want to do anything about it which causes them to feel guilty and furious with