Parker's Back

Throughout this story, Parker does not realize that there is a divine influence in his life, guiding his trajectory forward. Is Parker’s resistance to religion another part of the divine plan for his life, or is he at odds with God? Use evidence from the text to support your thesis.

Parker seeks deeper meaning by getting a variety of images tattooed on his body. What is it about the tattooed man and the tattoos themselves that compel Parker? What qualities do these tattoos possess that allow him to substitute them for other meaning-making pursuits, like religion or patriotism?

Although Sarah Ruth wants Parker to be saved, when he has his transformative moment and gets the tattoo of God on his back she begins hitting him with a broom and calls him an idolator. What parts of Sarah Ruth’s character prevent her from being able to see Parker’s transformation?

The setting of “Parker’s Back” is not identified, although the events and colloquial language indicate that it is set in the South. Choose an element of the story and explore the subtextual implications of the Southern setting.

In the scene in the pool hall, the men tease Parker and accuse him of having found religion until Parker gets angry and starts a brawl. How does Parker’s denial of his calling parallel other biblical figures’ denial of their calling (such as the prophet Jonah or the apostle Peter)?

At the end of the story, Parker is compared to Jesus through his imagery and suffering. Why does O’Connor make this choice? How does it change our understanding of Parker?

Parker and Sarah Ruth are foils of one another in many ways. Pick three qualities and compare and contrast how these two characters are different from one another.

Parker has no interest in getting tattoos on his back because he’s uninterested in getting designs anywhere he can’t see. What does this say about Parker?