"Everything That Rises Must Converge" Summary

Julian, one year after graduating from college, lives with his mother in an apartment that is descending into obsolescence, just as she is. Her memory is of better days, when her grandfather was governor of the state, her parents were prominent landowners, and Negroes were barely free from slavery. She is completely prejudiced against blacks and talks little else. Her doctor has told her she has to lose weight because of her high blood pressure, so Julian agrees to ride with her on the bus to the Y on Wednesday nights to her exercise class.

Julian hates riding the bus with his mother because she is so obviously patronizing to any blacks that get on. When she puts on a hideous purple hat, she fusses about feeling guilty for having bought it. Julian...