What is the theme in The Violent Bear It Away by Flannery O'Connor?

Destiny –and, by extension, purpose –form the central component and theme of the novel “The Violent Bear It Away” by Flannery O’Connor. Destiny –the idea that a person has an ultimate purpose, task to perform, or end in life –is all-encompassing in Tarwater’s life. Tarwater is brought up with the belief that his destiny is to become a prophet in the footsteps of his Uncle Marion, with the eventual result being that he will replace Marion to continue on the work of spreading the Truth of God. It is also Tarwater’s destiny to baptize his younger cousin, Bishop.