Analysis Of The Coins In John Ower's Everything That Rises Must Converge

Through many forms of literary criticism, authors and literary critics focus on the different aspects of a piece to establish and offer a better perception. In John Ower’s criticism of “Everything That Rises Must Converge,” Ower focuses on the symbols used throughout the story, the inner working of Julian’s Mother’s mind, and the post-segregation setting of the story. In his criticism, Ower uses structuralism to highlight the significance of the coins for he looks past the coin’s monetary value to develop meaning for the coins. Ower links the penny to the societal change that has occurred and states that “the features of the Lincoln cent… suggest the freeing of Negroes by the ‘Great Emancipator’ … [and the government’s role] to ensure the rights of Southern blacks.” To reach this conclusion, the reader must look past the monetary value of the coins and look further into the history of the coins. Therefore, Owen’s explanation of the coin gives the coin significance in terms of social justice for African Americans.

Ower focuses on Julian’s mother because “she represents the reactionary element among white Southerners who want to reverse history” and she “would like to return to the days of segregation… [and] the era of slavery.” Ower also looks at the year the story takes place and suggest that Julian’s mother has “antiquated” views on race. This interpretation by Ower suggests that Julian’s mother, along with society, struggles with the social changes around her and refuses to adapt. This criticism allows the reader to focus on the social conflicts of the 1960s, and through this criticism, Ower effectively captures the changing times and the conflict that the change brings to a post-segregation