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Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes.

The Old Woman’s Underestimation of Shiftlet

The old woman immediately dismisses Shiftlet’s potential for harm, considering his missing arm and his homelessness. As he comes up the road, based on his appearance, she believes him to be “no one to be afraid of.” This observation is the first indication that she will underestimate what Shiftlet can do, as well as believe that she can control him due to his lack of other options. As he slowly manipulates the old woman into allowing him to repair the car, she believes she is strong-arming him into staying on at the house and marrying her daughter because it is the only choice he has, saying “there ain’t any place in the world for a poor disabled friendless drifting man.” While it is clear from the beginning that Shiftlet only has eyes for the car, it seems that this is the moment that he decides to make his move and suggest a honeymoon trip, angling for both the use of the car and some cash from the old woman. It is the arrogance with which she treats Shiftlet that may cause him to take the younger Lucynell with him. It seems possible that had the old woman not insulted him and insisted that he had no other alternative than to settle with them at their home, he would have simply taken the car and disappeared. Through her belief that he could do nothing to hurt her, she ignored the fact that he could easily take the one thing that she seems to love: her daughter.

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