What is the theme in Everything That Rises Must Converge by Flannery O'Connor?

Self-righteousness is a theme in the book. Many characters in O’Connor’s stories suffer from feelings of self-righteousness. For instance, Julian in “Everything That Rises Must Converge” thinks that he is more moral and better educated than his mother. Another character that feels superior is Mrs. Turpin. While in the doctor’s waiting room, she weighs her personal ideologies against those of another woman, and she believes she is more tolerant than the racist woman. However, all these characters realize their personalities are lacking; the situations show them their self-righteousness is unwarranted.