How is Mrs Hopewell characterized?
Hopewell is not a bad person, but her easy sense of superiority and conventional morality makes her hypocritical (as Hulga sees her) and easily manipulated by the Bible Salesman, who Mrs. Hopewell sees as being one of the “good country people.”
What happened to Julian’s mother at the end of the story?
Julian, who feels his mother has been taught a good lesson, begins to talk to her about the emergence of blacks in the new South. While he is speaking to his mother, she suffers a stroke (or a heart attack) as a result of the blow, and she dies, leaving Julian grief-stricken and running for help.
What is the theme of Everything That Rises Must Converge?
Social Order and Disorder. “Everything That Rises Must Converge” is, in large part, a story about the breaking of traditional social hierarchies and the tensions that such changes create.
What does Carver’s mother’s hat likely best symbolize to her?
The same hat that Julian’s mother and the large black woman wear symbolizes the transforming cultural landscape of the 1960s South, which has put the two women on equal social footing.
Who is the antagonist in Everything That Rises Must Converge?
It’s easy to lump antagonists in the category of “bad guys.” In this case, we think it’s more accurate to say that Julian’s mother is an “agent” of antagonism.
Does Julian mother die in Everything That Rises Must Converge?
Ironically, the climax of the story pushes Julian’s mother even further back into the past. After her apparent stroke, she becomes confused and disoriented, calling out for her father and her nurse, Caroline, both of whom are long dead, because she associates them with security and comfort.
Why does Julian resent his mother?
Julian is disappointed because his mother’s racism does not extend to children. The black mother sits down next to Julian, and he realizes that she is wearing the exact same hideous hat as his mother.
What happens at the end of Everything That Rises Must Converge?
The last line in “Everything Rises Must Converge,” leaves us with a killer open-ending: “The tide of darkness seemed to sweep [Julian] back to [his mother], postponing from moment to moment his entry into the world of guilt and sorrow” (121).
What is the main conflict in Everything That Rises Must Converge?
Social Conflict as a Generational Conflict O’Connor places the broader societal conflict of race relations within the context of the volatile relationship Julian has with his mother to connect the two issues that transformed the South in the 1960s.
How does Julian interact with his mother?
How does Julian interact with his mother at the beginning of “Everything that Rises Must Converge?” Julian helps her, from a sense of obligation, but he treats her rudely at the same time. Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of this story.
How does Julian feel about his mother?
Julian seems to have no more understanding of African Americans than his bigoted mother, despite the liberal views he espouses. In fact, his irritation with his mother’s outdated views may even reflect irritation with himself for being unable to connect with blacks or even engage in small talk with them.
What does Julian’s mother’s hat likely symbolize to him?
The Hat. The same hat that Julian’s mother and the large black woman wear symbolizes the transforming cultural landscape of the 1960s South, which has put the two women on equal social footing.
Why is it significant that Mrs Hopewell’s daughter has two names How do the other characters names serve to characterize them?
Hopewell’s daughter has two names because Joy is the illusion that the mother has for her daughter. Hulga is the illusion that the daughter has for herself. The name Joy characterizes her as young, happy and free. The name Hulga characterizes the daughter to be a sort of Frankenstein’s daughter.
What does Hulga learn about herself?
What does Hulga learn about herself? Joy-Hulga has an incredible sense of superiority over everyone around her. She is college educated with a degree in philosophy and that alone makes her different and “better” than her mother Mrs.
What does Manley Pointer symbolize?
Ultimately, this portrayal of Manley Pointer as a deceiver with ulterior motives can be seen to symbolize the devil, and the process by which he deceives is a reflection on how the devil operates.