everything that rises must converge summary

Introduction:

Flannery O’Connor’s “Everything That Rises Must Converge” is a collection of short stories, primarily categorized as Southern Gothic. Published posthumously, it showcases O’Connor’s signature blend of dark humor, grotesque imagery, and profound exploration of faith, racism, and the complexities of human nature in the American South during the post-World War II era. The stories offer a stark and often unsettling look at the social and spiritual landscape of the time.

Main Characters:

• Julian: A cynical and resentful young man burdened by his mother’s outdated views and his own intellectual pride. He struggles with his identity and his complicated relationship with his mother.
• Julian’s Mother: A well-meaning but deeply prejudiced widow clinging to the social norms and racial hierarchies of the past. Her actions are often driven by a mixture of ignorance and ingrained bigotry.
• Caravaggio: A seemingly minor but crucial character who represents a changing social order in the South and acts as a catalyst for the story’s events.

Summary:

“Everything That Rises Must Converge” is a poignant tale centered around Julian and his mother’s fraught relationship. Julian, a recent college graduate harboring intellectual pretensions and a deep-seated resentment for his mother’s ingrained racism and social conservatism, is financially dependent on her. Their interactions are characterized by constant friction, stemming from their opposing views on race and the changing social dynamics of the post-war South. Julian’s mother is a product of her time, harboring deep-seated prejudices against Black people, a legacy of the South’s racist past that she can’t quite let go of.

Their weekly routine involves trips to the downtown shopping area. One particular trip finds Julian’s mother, clinging to her outdated worldview, acutely embarrassed by the growing integration of society. She’s even more irritated by Julian’s evident disapproval of her views. In a pivotal scene on the bus, Julian witnesses an incident with a Black woman who is carrying the same type of handbag his mother has. The resulting encounter, charged with years of unspoken resentment and prejudice, causes a sudden surge of anger in his mother. The moment of confrontation results in the death of Julian’s mother from a stroke as her prejudice reaches a climax.

This seemingly simple narrative, however, encapsulates a broader exploration of societal change, the struggle for identity, and the burden of inherited prejudice. Julian’s resentment isn’t solely directed at his mother; it’s a broader commentary on the societal structures that shaped both their lives and the lingering effects of racism and class division. His intellectual pride becomes his downfall in relation to his mother, as he fails to acknowledge his own complicity in the perpetuation of a prejudiced system through his own condescending behavior.

The story’s ending is both tragic and thought-provoking. The irony of Julian’s mother dying during a confrontation with a Black woman she treated with contempt, coupled with his subsequent, muted reaction, underscores the story’s central theme: the inescapable consequences of our actions and beliefs. O’Connor presents a world where the weight of the past continues to shape the present, and reconciliation remains a challenging—possibly insurmountable—task. The story leaves the reader to confront the lingering effects of racism and the complexities of navigating personal relationships in the face of profound social shifts.

Themes and Analysis:

• Race and Racism: The story powerfully depicts the pervasive nature of racism in the post-war South and its devastating impact on individual lives and societal relationships.
• Generational Conflict: The clash between Julian’s modern worldview and his mother’s antiquated beliefs highlights the generational divide and the difficulty of bridging conflicting ideologies.
• Social Change and Resistance to Change: The story explores the tensions arising from societal shifts and the resistance of some individuals to adapt to changing social norms.
• Redemption and Grace: While the story deals with significant conflicts and tragedy, it subtly explores the possibility of grace and the complexities of redemption, even in the face of deep-seated prejudice.
• Identity and Self-Discovery: Julian’s struggle to define himself amidst his family history and societal pressures underscores the search for identity in a changing world.

Conclusion:

“Everything That Rises Must Converge” is a powerful and unforgettable story that resonates long after you finish reading it. It’s a masterclass in subtle storytelling, using understated prose to convey deeply profound messages about race, class, and the human condition. While not an easy read, due to its unflinching portrayal of uncomfortable truths, the story’s relevance continues to be felt today and makes it a worthwhile and important work of literature for those seeking a thought-provoking exploration of societal tensions and human nature.