Everything That Rises Must Converge Summary (Class:12 Optional English)

Everything That Rises Must Converge

(The meaning of the title is everything in the universe moves towards the point of unification.)

- Flannery O’Connor

Brief and Simple Summary:

The short story 'Everything That Rises Must Converge’ written by Flannery O'Connor is about racial discrimination. It also shows the different views of two generations about racial discrimination and the insincerity of so called anti-racist (people who oppose racial discrimination).

The major character of the story is Julian. He is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer, who lives with his mother in an unnamed Southern city. Mrs. Chestny (Julian's mother) attends a weekly exercise session at the local YMCA (an organization) to manage her blood pressure, but she is afraid of riding the bus by herself because city's transportation system was racially integrated. Though he hates his mother's racism, snobbery (arrogance) and anti-intellectualism, Julian unwillingly escorts her on the bus because of his filial duty (duties related to a son or a daughter). One night, his mother loudly complains to white passengers about the integration, so Julian decides to sit next to a black man on the bus. On the ride, Julian tries to be friendly with the man, but he ignores him. After some time, a black woman and her young son named Carver get on the bus. Then Julian's mother shows affection for Carver in spite of his mother's disapproval and gives him a penny when they all get off at the same station. Julian’s mother gives him a penny because she is fond of giving coins to lovely children. But at that time she does not find a coin in her purse, so she gives a penny to the child. When she gives the penny to child, his mother feels insulted and assaults Julian’s mother with a big bag. After this embarrassing incident, Julian even does not care about his mother’s condition at first and tells her that she has received what she deserved. Unfortunately, while Julian is talking to his mother, she suffers from a heart attack. So, he immediately runs towards his mother for helping her, but she dies.