The violent bear it away

F. O'Connor

The book is the story of Francis Tarwater, a fourteen-year-old boy who is trying to escape his destiny: the life of a prophet. Like most of O'Connor's stories, the novel is filled with Catholic themes and dark images, making it a classic example of a humorous Southern Gothic literature. Though not directly stated, it is implied that Tarwater was homosexually raped by a pale man in a lavender vehicle. The man gives him liquor and marijuana, causing Tarwater to pass out.