Symbolism In Parker's Back, By Flannery O Connor

Man was created in the image of God, but given free thought. With free thought came the thoughts and ability to sin. It does not matter what religious back ground that you come from or even if you are religious at all, it is easy to see that the world view characterization of human nature is accurate. When looking at resources or evidence that human nature has a tendency to sin all you have to do is turn on the television. The images and stories that we see on the news and through social media are not some recent events. We have been sinning since the creation of mankind, and with the world social unrest and current event mankind dies not look like they are going to stop.

Sin is the foundation of good and evil in today’s society. Without out this factor there would be no judging in society but peacefulness everywhere. We live in a society where sin is the tool that runs our culture. When many of us consider "What is sin?" we think of violations of the Ten Commandments. Some other people consider murder, adultery, theft, etc as sins too. In the Tokens of Trust by Rowan Williams he illustrates the language of the “orginal sin” “ is a tangle that goes back to our very roots of humanity”. According to the Marriam-Webster dictionary sin is defined as an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law.

Flannery O’Connor was an American author who often wrote about characters who face violent situations. These situations force the characters into a moment of crisis that awakens or alters their fate. Her short stories reflect her Roman Catholic faith and frequently discuss questions of morality and ethics. O’Connor’s Catholic upbringing influenced most of her short stories, often accumulating criticism because of her harsh portrayal of religion. O’Connor incorporates the experience of a moment of grace in her short stories to contribute to the meaning of her works and to represent her faith.

As most of O’Connor’s stories, we are not presented with an easy account of redemption. It is not clear if Parker has made an actual commitment to Christ and if there is significance of the tattoo on his back or the suffering of the hands of his wife. Her intentions are not to offer a complete account on how to enter the life of faith, but to show insights in the mysterious working of grace, which is what I found very interesting about Flannery O’ Connor and why I enjoyed reading her short stories, especially “Parkers Back”.

In Flannery O’Connor’s short stories, she often relates them to religion or incorporates a religious form in her stories. O’Connor highlights Christian themes throughout her writing. From her stories familiar to the bible, to death and religious views, its simple to see O’Connor’s religious understanding of God. She ties in her Christian views through her writing, which have a distinct and unique quality. O’Connor often expresses her views of God throughout her literature career. Although her religious themes are not always clear, readers can misunderstand her at times. Some authors may not agree with her style writing and choose not to call her a religious writer for reasons. O’Connor’s stories are based on her Christian beliefs but are not preaching or teaching them. Her stories relay beliefs in the context of the actions and lives of her characters. Some short stories we observe this in are “A Good Man is Hard to Find”, “The River”, and “Good Country People”. By analyzing these short stories we can see how she tied in her Christian beliefs and incorporated them into the characters and scenarios they encounter. In “A Good Man is Hard to Find” she doesn’t link the beliefs into a character but rather then ending scenario. We see religion in “The River” from the start with the character Harry and his actions in the story. Religious suggestions are also seen in “Good Country People”. The main character is a missionary bible

Flannery O’Connor’s last story “Parker’s Back” is written about Parker’s struggles through life. Parker turns to tattoos for comfort most of his life, but on day this changes after getting a tattoo of the, “Byzantine Christ with all-demanding eyes” (Epperson 576). O. E. Parker marries Sarah Ruth who does not approve of his lifestyle. Sarah Ruth worries about her husband and knows what, “...the judgement seat of God would be like if he didn’t change his ways” (Epperson 575). The theme O’Connor is expressing to the reader is that God’s unfailing grace can still be given to an unwilling sinner.

Flannery O’Conner, the author of “Good County People,” looks at the perceptional ways that others identify themselves in this story. The title of this story draws from Mrs. Hopewell. This character sees people in general, including her hardworking employees, as either “good county people” or trash. Mrs. Hopewell views herself at a much higher social hierarchy status than the others. There are several symbolisms in this tale as Flannery has the reader engaged and perplexed. The smooth talking character Manley Pointer, a supreme con artist and fake Bible Salesman, uses his clever witty words to put Mrs. Hopewell at ease and earn her trust. Mrs. Hopewell is naïve, yet a true optimist of her impression and interpretation of “good county people.” She would be enchanted and deceived by his words, letting her guard down allowing herself and daughter to placing them in an uncompromising situation, only to be “good county people,” deceived by the trashy Manley Pointer.

Many times O’Connor’s characters in her literary works were experiencing some sort of spiritual confrontation and through that spiritual confrontation they always found mercy in unbelievable ways. In the NPR website “Flannery O'Connor's Private Life Revealed in Letters” points out “Yes, the early letter, especially the content is very taken up with the subject of each of their faith journey.” (Steve Ennis). This gives us a better understanding of what type of spiritual connection the characters have to O’Connor’s literary works. The confrontation that her character represented with are ones that we all experience on our day to day basis that leads up to that journey of faith. Hopelessness, unhappiness, discouragement, distress, are some aspects that the character’s deal with in her novels which are some recurrent emotions that we all go through in our lives. Flannery O’Connor wanted to connect with her readers in both a spiritual and emotional way. The New Georgia Encyclopedia Website on “Flannery O'Connor (1925-1964)” highlights that when Flannery O’Connor was in her teenage years her father passed away from Systematic Lupus. This affected Flannery in both a spiritual and emotional way. She connected these emotions to her characters as stated before. She connected herself to her characters in the way that they were in the same circle of emotions because of a certain

The novel The Road, has many examples of biblical allusion. McCarthy utilizes biblical allusion with characters appearing in the bible. Even places and events that correspond with the bible.The boy depicts himself as a christ figure through his actions and characteristics. “You should thank him you know, the man said. I wouldn't have given you anything” (McCarthy 173) This quote explains how the boy wants to give back, not caring if Ely denies the existence of god.The man and the boy search for “paradise” in the south where the boy can live and survive. They are trying to find the garden of eden. “We have to keep moving we have to keep heading south “ (McCarthy 42). “I knew this was coming,.. I always believed in it.” (McCarthy 169) The

“Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home”. This was taken from a section of the song “Amazing Grace” and is quoted in the book as “The verse that belongs to us” by Reverend Groover. I found this to be one of the most pivotal moments in the book. This story contains the lives of those who, in a sense have been left behind and discarded. Like the man behind the story, of the song Amazing Grace, Jonathan Kozol portrays the heart breaking reality of a population left behind and forgotten, that is until now. The realities of how the children, parents and grandparents cope with their situations, sheds light on some very ugly truths. Jonathan provides his readers

A profound Southern American Catholic novelist, Flannery O’Connor concealed her true spiritual intentions into many of her grotesque stories. Many of her writings involve a tale of a displaced person that is eventually lead to redemption and mercy from God. Through plenty of hardships and mistakes, her protagonists endure a spiritual transformation that leads her characters into enlightenment. O’Connor weaves blatant instances of sacramentality, mediation, communion, mercy, and human dignity into the development of each of her stories.

Baldwin also incorporates the Biblical motif of salvation throughout the story. Both Sonny and the narrator are seeking redemption from the darkness

In “Good Country People,” O’Connor symbolizes the flaws of people for many purposes. With an shocking ironic ending, the author shows how not all people are who they seem to be. The title is a perfect example of how the theme is explained throughout the story. O’Connor also uses the names of her characters as hints to the actual and true personality. She also symbolizes greater handicaps of a person with the bodily handicaps of her characters. Everything in life has a purpose, and we just have to learn to live with the opportunities we are given and the mistakes that are waiting to be made. This is something that Hulga, the main character, refuses to acknowledge. After having her leg shot off, it was replaced with a wooden leg. This

The Question of Morality - Mankind was created good, but sin entered the world through Adam according to

Whether or not humans are essentially evil or sympathetic is a question that has long left many philosophers in a state of conflict. Through the evaluation of natural human qualities, many different opinions have been formed. The so called “laws” of the world attempt to define a set of uncertain rules which are to govern society in its most raw form, dictate moral rights and wrongs, and create boundaries. Every single action can be separated into any of these three categories, depending upon the action. The Bible states that it is only through baptism that a sin may be removed from the carrier. Non-religious opinions may offer a similar opinion in a sense that humans possess the capability of committing evil acts. Human beings are in