Flannery O’Connor’s short story, Everything That Rises Must Converge, carries a deeply Catholic vision of human dignity, grace, and the often-painful pathway toward redemption (O’Connor, 1965). While set in the American South of the mid-twentieth century, O’Connor’s themes of pride, moral blindness, and the tension between old and new cultures continue to echo across contemporary social and political landscapes. Today, these very themes can offer insights into the polarized realm of American politics, where conservatives and liberals often seem locked in battles that—at first glance—mirror the generational and ideological clashes O’Connor so poignantly depicted.

Below, we will explore how both groups exhibit tendencies we can glean from O’Connor’s narrative and how Catholic teaching and Scripture challenge us to consider deeper principles that transcend partisan lines.

1. Pride and Moral Blindness

In “Everything That Rises Must Converge,” the central tension revolves around a mother who clings to a nostalgic sense of social hierarchy, and her college-educated son who believes he has outgrown her prejudices (O’Connor, 1965). Yet both mother and son illustrate prideful perspectives that blind them to genuine compassion.

• Liberals and Pride: One could argue that liberals, in presenting themselves as champions of progressive values, may sometimes fall prey to a moral superiority complex—seeing those who disagree as backward or unenlightened. Such an attitude can mirror the son’s condescension toward his mother in O’Connor’s story. Although the son criticizes his mother’s racism, he himself lacks the humility to see that he, too, is bound by preconceived notions and a judgmental stance.
• Conservatives and Pride: On the other hand, conservatives, often upholding traditional norms, can at times harbor pride in longstanding institutions or a nostalgic view of the past. This mindset may resemble the mother’s refusal to see the changing social structures around her. When conservatives cling too tightly to older norms, they risk overlooking the injustices that need to be addressed, much like the mother who insists on her own moral rectitude without recognizing how her biases harm others.

Catholic teaching calls believers to humility, acknowledging that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6, New American Bible, Revised Edition [NABRE]). No political affiliation grants moral immunity. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church notes, “Sin creates a proclivity to sin” (CCC, 1865), urging each individual to examine personal attitudes and structures that perpetuate injustice.

2. Generational Conflict and the Need for Dialogue

O’Connor portrays not just a racial divide but also a generational one. The mother and son live in the same house, share the same blood, yet speak past one another. Each is convinced of their own correctness. This resonates with the way conservatives and liberals frequently inhabit echo chambers.

• Liberal Perspectives: Progressive stances on social welfare, healthcare, and inclusivity often come from a sense of urgent moral duty to champion the marginalized. But in failing to engage respectfully with more traditional viewpoints, liberals may inadvertently shut down dialogue. In the context of O’Connor’s story, the son’s eagerness to correct his mother leads him to ignore the fact that real conversion requires patience, empathy, and an invitation rather than condemnation.
• Conservative Perspectives: Conservatives often emphasize tradition, economic freedom, and personal responsibility. However, these ideals can become rigid if they are not open to the real stories and struggles of those who remain on the margins. Like the mother in O’Connor’s tale who refuses to see how the world is moving on, conservatives can resist change, risking alienation of younger generations longing for reform.

Scripture reminds us that we are one body in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–14, NABRE). Each part of the body—be it liberal, conservative, or somewhere in between—must work together for the common good (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1912). Dialogue, rather than diatribe, is essential for unity.

3. Convergence through Shared Human Dignity

In the title story, the idea that “everything that rises must converge” suggests an ultimate unity or meeting point—spiritually, socially, and culturally (O’Connor, 1965). For Catholics, human dignity is rooted in our creation in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27, NABRE). Thus, “convergence” is not mere compromise but a recognition that we all share a transcendent worth which calls us to encounter the other as a brother or sister.

• Liberals’ Pursuit of Social Justice: The liberal focus on racial justice, immigration reform, and social services resonates with Catholic teaching on caring for the poor and vulnerable (CCC, 2443). These efforts can be a powerful embodiment of “encounter” if they are grounded in an authentic respect for life at every stage. Yet liberals are also challenged by the Church’s consistent ethic of life, which includes the unborn, the elderly, and the disabled.
• Conservatives’ Emphasis on Human Freedom and Responsibility: Conservative ideals of personal responsibility and moral clarity can align with Catholic teachings on subsidiarity and the dignity of work (CCC, 1883; 2427). However, if individual freedom overshadows communal well-being—especially when it comes to policies affecting the poor—then the unity implied in “everything that rises must converge” can be lost.

Ultimately, both liberals and conservatives stand to benefit from recognizing shared values that uphold the dignity of every human being, championing justice and the common good rather than merely advancing partisan victory (USCCB, 2020).

4. The Catholic Call: From Partisanship to Communion

Catholic theology reminds us that the earthly city, while important, is not our final destination (CCC, 1042–1050). Political ideologies, though vehicles for societal change, must not become idols. O’Connor’s story ends in a moment of shocking violence that jolts both mother and son into a stark realization of their fragility. Similarly, American Catholics—whether conservative, liberal, or somewhere in between—may be shocked into greater humility by the divisions tearing at our country.

In this light, St. Paul’s exhortation rings out, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2, NABRE). Ideological loyalty must yield to a higher loyalty: love of God and neighbor. This is how we truly converge.

Conclusion

Flannery O’Connor’s Everything That Rises Must Converge serves as a mirror for American politics. Both conservatives and liberals can exhibit the pride and tension that O’Connor captured through her mother-son protagonists. Yet, her deeply Catholic worldview suggests a call to humility, recognition of sin, and a grace-filled convergence based on shared human dignity.

If Catholics and all people of goodwill allow themselves to be guided by the humility Christ taught (Matthew 11:29, NABRE), then the divide between ideologies may not fully disappear—but it can become a place of fruitful dialogue. Ultimately, we can rise together through sincere efforts at understanding, compassion, and a commitment to the inviolable dignity of every human person (CCC, 1700). Everything that rises, indeed, must converge.

References (APA Style)

Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.). (1997). Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

O’Connor, F. (1965). Everything that rises must converge. In F. O’Connor, Everything that rises must converge (pp. 3–30). Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Pew Research Center. (2021). Political polarization in the American public. https://www.pewresearch.org/

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2020). Forming consciences for faithful citizenship. https://www.usccb.org

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). (n.d.). The new American Bible, revised edition (NABRE). https://bible.usccb.org/bible