See No Evil, Hear No Evil

The fact that O'Connor does not describe the assault on Tarwater in graphic terms is surprising, as she is best known for her grotesque style of writing. As was previously mentioned, the nature of the assault (homosexual) would have undoubtedly been taboo during O'Connor's time. However, I do not think that a societal ideology would prevent O'Connor from writing as she saw fit. O'Connor, being very familiar with the bible would have known the following verse from Matthew 5:27-8 "You have heard that it was said, You must not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." In the same sense, O'Connor, by implying the assault of Tarwater, has already committed the act, there is no masking it. Moreover, it does not appear to be O'Connor's intent to mask this occurence. I'm not particularly sure if that verse is really pertinent as to whether or not O'Connor left the assault so vague due to societal ideologies, but I thought it was interesting nonetheless. : )