Racial Tensions and Social Change
Everything That Rises Must Converge by Flannery O’Connor represents many critical historical moments in American society, such as racial inequality. They help to understand how the topics of race, identity, social ties, and kinship are essential for the development of relations in society. Highlighting these themes is essential to demonstrate the complexity in a historical context that is intricately intertwined with the current time.
The development of society regarding civil rights can result in unexpected events for many people that they are not ready to accept. The chosen passage was led by the fact that Julian’s mother once again decided to establish herself at the expense of other people by giving the black boy a penny. The key passage that can fully demonstrate this is:
“The huge woman turned and for a moment stood, her shoulders lifted and her face frozen with frustrated rage, and stared at Julian’s mother. Then, all at once, she seemed to explode like a piece of machinery that had been given one ounce of pressure too much. Julian saw the black fist swing out with the red pocketbook. He shut his eyes and cringed as he heard the woman shout, “He do not take nobody’s pennies!” When he opened his eyes, the woman was disappearing down the street with the little boy staring wide-eyed over her shoulder. Julian’s mother was sitting on the sidewalk.
“I told you not to do that,” Julian said angrily. “I told you not to do that!” He stood over her for a minute, gritting his teeth. Her legs were stretched out in front of her, and her hat was on her lap. He squatted down and looked her in the face. It was expressionless. “You got exactly what you deserved,” he said. “Now get up” (O’Connor 11).
This passage reflects as accurately as possible the difficulties in the relationship between mother and son caused by events in society, such as the abolition of slavery. Because of this, they constantly had skirmishes, and Julian treated his mother with great impatience: “He stood over her for a minute, gritting his teeth” (O’Connor 11).
Thus, the motivation of the main character, who tries to avoid conflict with Carver’s mother, becomes clear. Julian’s mother tried to give a penny to a black boy they met. This can be seen as a show of patronizing condescension towards blacks. Julian’s mother made no secret of these emotions regarding blacks, always speaking out about the past times when her ancestors were planters.
She liked these times much more than equality and freedom for all people. This attitude says a lot about her as a person who cannot come to terms with the new order and the establishment of equality in rights. Her personality is influenced by her persistent desire for control, which is further reinforced by Julian’s consistently condescending and contemptuous behavior toward her.
Symbolism of Rejection and Resistance
The reaction of the woman to the boy to whom Julian’s mother offered money was sharp because she perceived this act as humiliating. The fact that “her shoulders were lifted and her face frozen with frustrated rage” suggests that this may not have been the first time she has faced such acts (O’Connor 11).
Marginalized groups of people can experience such emotions, which shows the complex social dynamics that were observed in the country at that moment. She insisted on giving money to Carver because it would make her feel superior. The superiority of the privileged class plays a role in how Julian’s mother feels and what actions she takes toward black people. My research depends on understanding this story in that it deals with social relationships in the context of the family.
The woman showed the act of upholding her rights – the boy’s mother waving her fist with a red wallet. This can be seen in her movements: “She seemed to explode like a piece of machinery” (O’Connor 11). Thus, her refusal to accept a penny symbolizes her rejection of the fact that white people still have no power.
To become an object of mercy or pity for her is unacceptable since black people have come a long way to gain their rights on an equal footing with whites. She defends her independence from her son, which greatly contrasts with Julian’s mother’s views. This can be felt more deeply in the scene when Carver’s mother says that he does not take money from anyone to stand up for his independence.
Family Conflict Reflecting Social Struggles
Julian, at the same time, warned his mother not to do what she wanted. However, their complex relationship, which the author shows throughout the story, became the reason that she did not listen to the advice and, as always, did as she saw fit.
Because of this, their confrontation becomes even more frank because Julian does not try to stand up for his mother: “He shut his eyes and cringed” (O’Connor 11). Moreover, after his mother falls, he continues only to reproach her without helping in any way. This attitude demonstrates the utmost contempt and disrespect that he feels.
At the same time, the passage shows how Julian is disappointed and annoyed by the way his mother reacts to his remarks. He is overwhelmed with rage that shows the emotions of the entire black population, which, for a long time, suffered oppression. Thus, their emotions are displayed in this important climax of the plot. This shows how social tension can lead to confrontation and direct opposition between the parties.
Julian’s cruel remark, “You got exactly what you deserved,” emphasizes that he has no remorse for his mother for now (O’Connor 11). This puts even more pressure on his mother’s emotional state. This is a demonstration and one of the most critical points of the passage under consideration, since the whole relationship between son and mother compares their relationship with social tension.
Work Cited
O’Connor, Flannery. Everything That Rises Must Converge. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1996.