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Alex MaloufFollow

Content Category

Literary Criticism

Abstract/Description

Critics, such as Patricia Maida, have described Flannery O’Connor’s “Everything That Rises Must Converge,” as a depiction of mankind’s defects shown through Julian’s fallacies. However, this explanation is far too simplistic. Although her presumption of Julian’s imperfection is most certainly correct, Maida has neglected to ask an important question: what is the barrier that prevents Julian from facing his inadequacies and advancing beyond such a flawed state? “Everything That Rises Must Converge” does far more than merely comment on human imperfection in a fictional setting. Rather, it details the hindering effect of self-image as a roadblock to potential change as well as establishing the idea that man cannot achieve redemption save his inner self converges with his external world.

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Location

B192 JFSB

Start Date

20-3-2015 1:45 PM

End Date

20-3-2015 3:00 PM

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Mar 20th, 1:45 PM Mar 20th, 3:00 PM

Complacency and Convergence: “Everything That Rises Must Converge"

B192 JFSB

Critics, such as Patricia Maida, have described Flannery O’Connor’s “Everything That Rises Must Converge,” as a depiction of mankind’s defects shown through Julian’s fallacies. However, this explanation is far too simplistic. Although her presumption of Julian’s imperfection is most certainly correct, Maida has neglected to ask an important question: what is the barrier that prevents Julian from facing his inadequacies and advancing beyond such a flawed state? “Everything That Rises Must Converge” does far more than merely comment on human imperfection in a fictional setting. Rather, it details the hindering effect of self-image as a roadblock to potential change as well as establishing the idea that man cannot achieve redemption save his inner self converges with his external world.