Parker's Back

“Parker’s Back” opens with Parker admitting that he does not know why he stays with his wife, since he finds her unattractive and irritating. What might be motivating Parker, either consciously or unconsciously, to remain committed to Sarah Ruth?

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?