Everything That Rises Must Converge Study Guide

Everything That Rises Must Converge by Flannery O'Connor

Plot Structure – I felt that most of the exposition took place in the beginning of the first page. For the rest of the story there was mostly rising action. Then, I felt that the climax came when Julian sees his mother crumple to the ground. The falling action and resolution are packaged together in the last couple paragraphs.

Character Terms: Julian – Protagonist, Round, Dynamic Julian's Mother – Antagonist, Round, Static Woman on Bus – Foil Character, Flat, Static

Characterization: Most of the characterization is indirect. We learn about these characters mostly by their action and their dialogue. However, there is some direct characterization when the narrator tells us of what has shaped the mother into what she is today.

Point of View - Third Person Omniscient

Irony – The is situational irony in that Julian acts the way he does to spite his mother and he is glad to see her get "taught a lesson," but actually this is what kills her.

Setting – The setting definitely played a role in this story. It is referenced to a few times throughout the story when the mother is telling Julian how fortunate he is to live in the neighborhood they do. We can also tell that this is an area where racial tension is still high among some of the people. The time that the story takes place is also very important because it is around the time of desegregation.

Symbolism – The Green Hat in the story symbolized the equality of the two women.

Themes – The struggle with the younger generation vs. the older generation The issue of dealing with the conformities of society Feeling regret after the loss of a loved one.

Important Quotes – Pg. 348 "Help, help!' he shouted, but his voice was thin, scarcely a thread of sound. The lights drifted farther away the faster he ran and his feet moved numbly as if they carried him nowhere. The tide of darkness seemed to sweep him back to her, postponing from moment to moment his entry into the world of guilt and sorrow.

Pg. 334 Her doctor had told Julian's mother that she must lose twenty pounds on account of her blood pressure, so on Wednesday nights Julian had to take her downtown on the bus for a reducing class at the Y. Notice the foreshadowing in the 1st sentence.