Momma's Boy (Everything That Rises Must Converge)

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Maria Reyes English 170-1 September 27, 2011 Essay 1-Arguing for a Key Momma’s Boy American screenwriter Joseph Stefano once said, “A boy’s best friend is his mother” (“Joseph Stefano”). While this may be true, a mother and son can also be the worst of enemies. The generation gap between them can lead to disagreements concerning what is “right” and what is “wrong” in society. Another element that makes up this complex relationship is the belief that a mother is the dominant individual who molds what type of person her son will become. His behavior and outlook on life are influenced by how his mother raises him. In Flannery O’Connor’s short story, “Everything that Rises Must Converge”, Julian and his mother maintain conflicting personal views surrounding the status of African-Americans in 1960’s society. Mrs. Chestny closely associates herself with the time period of plantations and slaves but says that she “can be gracious to anybody” (O’Connor 1017). Julian, on the other hand, believes his mother is a flat-out racist and almost feels the need to apologize to African-Americans for his mother’s behavior and attitude. Despite these clashes of perspective, the main conflict between mother and son derives from Julian’s inability to put his pride aside, accept the sacrifices his mother made for him, and move on from his lack of success in the real world. Julian sees himself as a martyr for African-Americans. He fantasizes about bringing home a black girlfriend just to frustrate his mother mad and sympathizing with all the hardships she has to endure because she is black (O’Connor 1023). Julian’s mother admits that she believes blacks were better off as slaves and that “they should rise, yes, but on their own side of the fence” (O’Connor 1018). She exhibits the philosophy of “separate but equal.” This attitude might place her in the racist category, but there

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