English 102 “Everything that
Rises Must Converge”
Many authors have
used literature to portray the effects of racism on society. Flannery O’Connor
uses this method in her ironic short story “Everything that Rises Must
Converge.” O’Connor’s style combines subtle hints that suggest racism to lines
that blatantly state it. Julian and his mother have opposing views on racism,
but they are not as different from each other as they think.
There
are three main aspects in this story; the mother’s views, Julian’s view of his
mother and society’s views. All are directed towards racism. Julian’s mother
was raised in a time when white society thought that African Americans were
less than them. Her main frame of mind is “with the world in the mess it’s in,
it’s a wonder that we can enjoy anything.
