Everything That Rises Must Converge

Part I of Essay
is a title O'Connor borrowed from the French paleantologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. After reviewing his book The Phenomenon of Man, O'Connor was especially fascinated with his scientific explanation of the Omega Point-a continual ascent towards a greater consciousness ....

Part II of Essay
.... of his mother do have merit, she is not the oblivious southern racist he makes her out to be. And either is he the free-thinking poet he struggles so hard to make his mother believe he is. In reality, Julian's mother has sacrificed a great deal for her son's well-being. She's allowed her own teeth to rot to afford him braces, has worked hard so that he might attend college, and makes excuses for his unemployment. Although she talks only through a string of cliches, Julian's mother is all too eager to please her son and obviously lives through ....