Part Four Summary

"Everything That Rises Must Converge" is the story of a young man and his mother. The son, Julian, is a recent college graduate who has moved home until he is able to get a job and live on his own. The mother dotes on Julian and does everything for him. Julian appreciates some of what his mother does yet is often rude and dismissive toward her and her ideals.

Julian must take his mother to the YMCA on Wednesday nights to take a reducing class. The mother needs to lose about twenty pounds and is excited that the class is free. The mother won't take the bus downtown alone since the system has integrated. The mother is fairly proper which annoys Julian. The mother has purchased a new hat that she loves but feels is frivolous. Still, it is one of...