The Journey Backward: A Study of O’Connor’s “Parker’s Back”

Abstract

The journey narrative is the central device that provides the backbone to the structure of almost all of Flannery O’Connor’s works. The journey is “at once a form and a symbol”: a form in the sense that it is at the center of the narrative development and a symbol in the sense that it signifies the journeyer’s descent into the heart of darkness of his soul. “Parker’s Back,” which O’Connor was compelled to finish to round off her writing career on her deathbed, is her last report on man’s stubborn and futile run away from God and his ultimate journey backward to God. The God-pursued fugitive Parker is through running as he bears God on his back; he is finally stepping forward into the divine realm with his walk backward from this world. The stern eyes of the Byzantine Christ tattooed on Parker’s back to “GO BACK” are to be obeyed. The paradox of going forward with backward steps is perhaps O’Connor’s final message to the “hostile” and unbelieving readers who refuse to readjust their worldly vision.