Parker's Back

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

Presentation: “Different Cultural Perceptions of Tattoos in History”

In this Activity, students will research and present a cultural perception of the meaning of a tattoo.

While tattoos have become increasingly accepted in US contemporary society, Parker’s zealous interest in them would have been relatively taboo during the story’s time period. However, in many cultures, tattoos possess important artistic, cultural, or religious significance. Working in small groups, select one culture or time period and research the perception of tattoos in this culture. In your presentation, consider how different cultural perceptions of tattoos are linked to the themes of The Search for Meaning and Transformation of the Soul. Be sure to include visuals or videos if relevant.

Teaching Suggestion: This Activity invites students to consider the importance of tattoos in different cultures throughout history. At the time of O’Connor’s story, tattoos were associated with outsiders or rebels, making the heavily tattooed protagonist seem deviant from the social norm. This is contrasted with Sarah Ruth as a static character, who represents the rigidity of social norms and expectations of the time period and finds tattoos to be an undesirable sign of “vanity.” After their presentations, invite students to recontextualize their findings within the scope of the above characterization.

Differentiation Suggestion: For a more creative alternative to the above Activity, the following prompt may be added and/or replaced: Based on the descriptions in the text, draw several of the tattoos that Parker describes in the story. Include these drawings as a part of a presentation on the representations of tattoos in the context of O’Connor’s Southern Gothic story.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Parker seeks deeper meaning by getting a variety of images tattooed on his body.

• What was it about the tattooed man and the tattoos themselves that captivated the young Parker? (topic sentence)
• What qualities do these tattoos possess that allow him to substitute them for other meaning-making pursuits, such as religion or patriotism?
• How does Parker’s desire to possess tattoos relate to O’Connor’s theme of The Search for Meaning?

2. 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 a divine plan for his life, or is he at odds with God? (topic sentence)
• Identify 2-3 pieces of evidence from the text to support your thesis.
• How does Parker’s relationship to spirituality and religion relate to the theme of God as Pursuer?

3. Although Sarah Ruth wants Parker to be saved, she is horrified to see how his transformative moment has changed him.

• What parts of Sarah Ruth’s character prevent her from being able to see Parker’s transformation? (topic sentence)
• Find 2-3 examples from the text analyzing Sarah Ruth’s characterization in relation to her husband.
• How does Sarah Ruth’s reaction to Parker’s transformation speak to the larger theme of Transformation of the Soul?

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Although the story’s setting is not explicitly identified, 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. How does the setting of the South relate to the Southern Gothic genre as a whole? Consider the setting, language, meaning, and themes in your answer.

2. At the end of the story, Parker resembles Christ in his suffering and the way the narrator describes him. Why does O’Connor make this choice? How does it change our understanding of Parker? How does this comparison relate to the elements of religion and spirituality as a whole?

3. Consider the role of gender and social norms within the story. Overall, how are gender and sexuality understood by both of the story’s main characters? How do gender norms and related social expectations affect the relationship between these two characters?

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. The narrator states, “The skin on [Sarah Ruth Cates’s] face was thin and drawn as tight as the skin on an onion and her eyes were gray and sharp like the points of two icepicks” (Paragraph 1). Which literary term is used in this quote?

A) Metaphor

B) Personification

C) Allusion

D) Simile

1. Which of the following describes why Parker continued to visit Sarah Ruth at her mother’s home?

A) He found her physical beauty irresistible.

B) He felt an inexplicable need to return.

C) He wanted to find a way to get her material wealth.

D) He fell in love with her almost instantly.

3. Which of the following words best describes the type of tattoos that Parker prefers?

A) Historical

B) Religious

C) Romantic

D) Colorful

4. Which of the following words best identifies Sarah’s response to her husband’s new tattoo?

A) Awe

B) Disgust

C) Excitement

D) Dread

5. How does the scene at the pool hall develop the story’s meaning?

A) It represents the climax of Parker’s spiritual transformation.

B) It creates a short moment of peace before Parker’s final rejection.

C) It establishes Parker as a well-regarded member of his community.

D) It links Parker’s humiliation to the suffering of Christ.

6. Which of the following best describes Parker’s development over the course of the story?

A) He learns to accept outsiders, such as the tattooed man at the fair.

B) He receives healing gifts of grace that bring him peace.

C) He awakens to spiritual, and not just physical, desires.

D) He learns that marriage is a difficult, but worthwhile, union.

7. Which of the following is an example of a biblical allusion in the story?

A) The tattoo of the bird

B) The burning tree

C) The Byzantine icon

D) The overturned tractor

8. Which of the following reasons best identifies Sarah Ruth’s complaint with her husband at the end of the story?

A) He did something she explicitly asked him not to do.

B) He ruined the tractor at her employer’s house.

C) He committed the sin of idolatry.

D) He cheated on her with another woman.

9. Which of the following words best describes the relationship between Parker and his wife?

A) Adoring

B) Distant

C) Antagonistic

D) Genuine

10. How does the author structure her narrative?

A) In a straightforward, linear way

B) With a series of scenes revealing future events

C) Through two separate, competing narrative voices

D) With a series of flashbacks revealing past event

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. Describe the two main characters of the story. Which character is static, and which is dynamic? How do we know this? Explain.

2. How does the dialogue relate to the setting in the story? Provide 2-3 examples of this type of dialogue.