Everything That Rises

Must Converge
Ms. Yasmine Farid Abudagga
23rd/Nov./2024
 Background Information

Author: Flannery
O'Connor
Year: 1961
Genre: Southern Gothic
literature.
Elements of the Story
 The Setting
1. The Bus: A significant setting for the story, where much
of the interaction between Julian and his mother occurs.
2. The Neighborhood: Descriptions of the surroundings
hint at a changing urban environment, with references
to the integration of public spaces.
 The Characters
• Julian: The protagonist, a young man who is discontented and
struggling with his identity. He has complex feelings about his mother
and is critical of her views, particularly regarding race and social issues.
• Julian's Mother: An older woman who holds traditional views and is
somewhat oblivious to the changing social landscape. She is portrayed
as both dependent on Julian and resistant to change, embodying the
older Southern mentality.
• The African American Woman: A key figure in the story, she
represents the new social order and the challenges of integration. Her
interaction with Julian and his mother heightens the story's tension.
 Characteristics
The characters in "Everything That Rises Must Converge" can be described as follows:

• Julian: Round and Dynamic. Julian is complex, with deep-seated conflicts and evolving
attitudes, particularly regarding his relationship with his mother and his views on race.
His character undergoes significant emotional turmoil throughout the story.
• Julian's Mother: Flat and Static. She embodies traditional Southern values and does
not change throughout the story. Her views are entrenched, and she remains largely
unaware of the shifting social landscape around her.
• The African American Woman: Static. While not as deeply explored as Julian, she is
more than just a symbol; her interactions with Julian and his mother reveal her
strength and dignity in the face of prejudice.
 Point of View
• The point of view in "Everything That Rises Must
Converge" is third-person limited, primarily focusing on
Julian's perspective. This point of view allows readers to
access Julian's thoughts, feelings, and internal conflicts
while maintaining some narrative distance.
 Conflict
• Character vs. Character: The primary conflict occurs between Julian and his
mother. Julian is resentful of her traditional views and her inability to adapt to the
changing social landscape, particularly regarding race. Their interactions are marked
by tension, as Julian desires to assert his liberal beliefs while his mother clings to her
old-fashioned values.
• Character vs. Society: There is a broader societal conflict reflected in the story,
showcasing the racial tensions of the 1960s South. Julian’s internal struggle with his
identity and his perceptions of race highlight the clash between old and new societal
norms, illustrating the difficulties of navigating a changing world.
• Character vs. Self: Julian experiences an internal conflict regarding his feelings
toward his mother and his own beliefs. He grapples with feelings of guilt,
disappointment, and anger, which leads to a crisis of identity and purpose.
 The Plot
• Exposition: The story introduces Julian and his mother as they prepare to go to a reducing
class. Julian is frustrated with his mother’s outdated views, particularly regarding race and
social issues.
• Rising Action: As they travel on the bus, Julian’s internal thoughts reveal his disdain for his
mother’s attitudes. He observes other passengers, particularly an African American woman and
her son, who challenge his mother’s perceptions.
• Climax: The climax occurs when Julian’s mother and the African American woman confront
each other. Julian's mother attempts to assert her social superiority, leading to a heated
exchange that exposes the racial tensions and prejudices that underline their interactions.
• Falling Action: After the confrontation, Julian’s mother experiences a severe emotional and
physical reaction, which forces Julian to confront the consequences of his beliefs and the reality
of his mother’s vulnerability.
• Resolution: The story concludes ambiguously, leaving readers to ponder the implications of
the conflict. Julian is left grappling with his feelings of guilt and confusion, especially regarding
his mother’s collapse and the societal issues they represent.
 Theme
• The main theme of "Everything That Rises Must
Converge" is the struggle between old and new social
values, particularly regarding race and identity.
 Symbolism
• The Hat: Julian's mother’s hat is a significant symbol. Its absurdity represents her outdated
views and social status. The hat's flamboyance contrasts with the changing social landscape,
highlighting her unwillingness to adapt and her attachment to the past.
• The Bus: The bus serves as a symbol of societal change and integration. It represents a
microcosm of the larger social issues at play, where people of different races and
backgrounds must interact. The bus ride is a setting for conflict and confrontation,
reflecting the tensions of the era.
• Julian's Mother: She symbolizes the old South, with her traditional values and resistance
to change. Her character reflects the struggles of many who are unwilling to let go of the
past in the face of social progress.
• The African American Woman: She symbolizes resilience and dignity amid prejudice. Her
presence challenges Julian and his mother, forcing them to confront their beliefs and
assumptions about race and class.
 Mood
• The mood of "Everything That Rises Must Converge" is
tense and somber, reflecting the emotional and social
conflicts within the story.
 Literary Devices
• Symbolism: Objects and characters, such as the hat and
the bus, serve as symbols that represent larger themes of
race, identity, and social change.
• Irony: The story is steeped in irony, particularly in the
relationship between Julian and his mother. Julian's
attempts to distance himself from her prejudices
ultimately lead to a moment of crisis that forces him to
confront his own beliefs and feelings.
 Literary Devices
• Imagery: O'Connor uses vivid imagery to create a strong sense
of place and atmosphere. Descriptions of the bus, the
characters, and the setting evoke the social and racial tensions
of the time, immersing readers in the Southern landscape.
• Dialogue: The dialogue between Julian and his mother reveals
their conflicting viewpoints and deepens the characterizations.
Their conversations highlight the generational divide and the
complexities of their relationship.
• Proverb/idioms: “Rome wasn't built in a day.”
 Literary Devices
• Simile
"waiting like Saint Sebastian for the arrows to begin piercing him”, also
"as rigid as a statue,“, "You look like a thug“, "as if in the midst of his martyrdom he had
lost his faith“, She rolled onto it every few days like a train on an open track“, “I come on
one the other day and they were thick as fleas - up front and all through.”
"wearing it like a banner of her imaginary dignity" “he could with pleasure have slapped
her as he would have slapped a particularly obnoxious child in his charge.”
“the rest of it was green and looked like a cushion with the stuffing out.” “as if suddenly
she had sickened at some awful confrontation” “The woman was rumbling like a volcano
about to become active.” “The lesson had rolled off her like rain on a roof.” “she seemed to
explode like a piece of machinery that had been given one ounce of pressure too much.”
 Literary devices
• Metaphor
"the bottom rail is on the top“
“This was a kind of mental bubble
THANK YOU