Everything That Rises Must Converge MCQs
🡆 Before you begin the quiz, read the summary of Everything That Rises Must Converge by Flannery O’Connor.
1. Why did Julian’s mother need to lose twenty pounds?
A. She was preparing for a formal dance.
B. Her doctor told her to for her blood pressure.
C. Julian had insisted on her losing weight.
D. She wanted to fit into her old clothes.
2. Where was the reducing class held that Julian had to take his mother to every Wednesday night?
A. The local community centre.
B. The church basement.
C. At the Y, downtown on the bus.
D. A private gym.
3. Why did Julian’s mother insist that Julian accompany her on the bus at night?
A. She disliked waiting for the bus alone.
B. She would not ride integrated buses by herself.
C. Julian was required to sign her in.
D. Julian enjoyed the ride downtown.
4. The reducing class was specifically designed for which demographic?
A. Working girls over fifty.
B. Young men.
C. Recently retired persons.
D. Teenagers struggling with obesity.
5. How much did the new hat Julian’s mother purchased cost?
A. Twelve dollars.
B. Seven dollars and a half.
C. Five dollars and twenty-five cents.
D. Ten dollars.
6. How did Julian visualize himself while waiting for his mother to finish putting on her hat?
A. A busy executive ready for work.
B. Like Saint Sebastian waiting for arrows.
C. A patient son offering silent encouragement.
D. A king on his throne.
7. What was the physical description of Julian’s mother’s hat?
A. Entirely white with small flowers.
B. A purple and green velvet flap hat.
C. Simple black felt.
D. A jaunty red cap.
8. Julian decided the hideous hat was less comical than what combination of attributes?
A. Bold and expensive.
B. Loud and inappropriate.
C. Jaunty and pathetic.
D. Modern and sleek.
9. What was Julian’s general reaction to everything that gave his mother pleasure?
A. He shared in her happiness.
B. It was small and depressed him.
C. He felt indifferent.
D. He thought it was necessary for her health.
10. Why did Julian’s mother insist they “did well” to have an apartment in their neighborhood?
A. The neighborhood had been fashionable forty years ago.
B. The rent was extremely cheap.
C. It was close to Julian’s job.
D. It had been recently renovated.
11. Julian hoped that when he started making money, they would move to a place where the nearest neighbors would be how far away?
A. Across the street.
B. Three miles away on either side.
C. Just next door.
D. In the next town.
12. Which saying did Julian’s mother use to excuse Julian’s lack of immediate success?
A. “Look before you leap.”
B. “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
C. “A stitch in time saves nine.”
D. “All things come to those who wait.”
13. Julian noted his mother was one of the few members of the Y reducing class who arrived wearing what items?
A. Sneakers and athletic wear.
B. A hat and gloves.
C. Expensive jewellery.
D. A doctor’s prescription.
14. Why did Julian catch his mother’s arm in a “vicious grip” when she suggested returning the hat?
A. He secretly wanted the hat for himself.
B. He felt responsible for her wearing it.
C. He insisted she keep it.
D. He realized she was sick.
15. What was Julian’s mother’s response to Julian saying people on the bus didn’t care who she was?
A. “I care who I am.”
B. “That is insulting.”
C. “You are probably right.”
D. “They should care who I am.”
16. According to Julian’s mother, who was Julian’s great-grandfather?
A. A world-famous general.
B. A former governor of this state.
C. A senator in Washington.
D. A wealthy merchant.
17. What family connection did Julian’s mother mention when asserting their identity?
A. His grandmother was a Godhigh.
B. His uncle was a doctor.
C. His grandfather was a judge.
D. They were related to the president.
18. According to Julian’s mother, how were the slaves owned by her ancestors “better off”?
A. She did not elaborate.
B. They had better housing.
C. She said, “They were better off when they were.”
D. They received an education.
19. What was Julian’s mother’s inevitable conclusion regarding racial integration?
A. They should rise on their own side of the fence.
B. They should be completely equal immediately.
C. They should be encouraged to move into white neighbourhoods.
D. Integration should be gradual.
20. When Julian’s mother recalled visiting her Grandpa’s house, what was unique about the stairways?
A. They were spiral staircases.
B. They were single, wide stairs.
C. It had double stairways to the second floor.
D. There were no stairways.
21. Julian felt he, not his mother, could have appreciated the decayed mansion because he preferred its threadbare elegance, whereas she called her insensitivity what?
A. “Being practical.”
B. “Being adjustable.”
C. “Being conservative.”
D. “Being modern.”
22. What was the name of Julian’s mother’s old nurse whom she remembered with great respect?
A. Clarissa.
B. Caroline.
C. Amelia.
D. Penelope.
23. How did Julian try to look like a “thug” or deliberately embarrass his mother at the bus stop?
A. By yelling loudly at passersby.
B. By pulling off his tie and putting it in his pocket.
C. By wearing ripped trousers.
D. By sitting on the curb.
24. When Julian put his tie back on after his mother protested, what did he mutter to himself?
A. “Ready for war.”
B. “Restored to my class.”
C. “A complete fool.”
D. “Never again.”
25. Julian insisted culture was in the mind, but his mother maintained culture was where?
A. In tradition.
B. In the heart, and in how you do things.
C. In one’s financial standing.
D. In one’s name.
26. Upon boarding the bus, Julian’s mother sat down on one of the broad front seats for three and was joined by which type of woman?
A. A thin woman with protruding teeth.
B. A heavy-set woman reading a Bible.
C. A young mother with a toddler.
D. An old man in a suit.
27. What accessory did Julian’s mother use to fan herself while initiating conversation on the bus?
A. A magazine.
B. A black folding fan.
C. A small handkerchief.
D. A newspaper.
28. After scanning the bus, what observation did Julian’s mother make that caused Julian to cringe?
A. “I see we have the bus to ourselves.”
B. “This bus is too hot.”
C. “I hate riding public transport.”
D. “We are going to be late.”
29. Julian spent most of his time withdrawn into what psychological space?
A. His memories of the old house.
B. The inner compartment of his mind.
C. A dream of future success.
D. Deep contemplation of literature.
30. Julian concluded that if his mother had started from the right premises, more might have been expected of her, but she lived according to the laws of what?
A. Southern etiquette.
B. Financial necessity.
C. Her own fantasy world.
D. Strict morality.
31. What was Julian’s mother’s definition of “winning” the struggle of her life?
A. She had successfully raised Julian and sent him to college.
B. That she had married well.
C. That she finally lost twenty pounds.
D. That she had saved the old house.
32. When the first Negro man got on the bus, what items did he carry and do?
A. He carried a heavy suitcase and sat in the back.
B. He was well dressed, carried a briefcase, and unfolded a newspaper.
C. He was talking loudly on a phone and sat next to Julian.
D. He wore work clothes and stood by the door.
33. What action did Julian take immediately after his mother whispered her concern about riding integrated buses?
A. He asked the driver to stop.
B. He crossed the aisle to sit near the Negro man.
C. He loudly argued with her.
D. He moved to the very back of the bus.
34. What did Julian want to talk to the Negro man about, which would be above the comprehension of those around them?
A. Art or politics.
B. The weather and local news.
C. Real estate investments.
D. Julian’s writing career.
35. Why was Julian unable to smoke a cigarette using the matches he borrowed from the Negro man?
A. The match packet was empty.
B. There was a NO SMOKING sign, and he had quit.
C. The Negro man refused to light it for him.
D. His mother told him to stop.
36. Julian realized his mother’s face was unnaturally red, and he allowed no glimmer of sympathy to show because he wanted to desperately keep the advantage and do what?
A. Make her get off the bus immediately.
B. Teach her a lesson that would last her a while.
C. Impress the other passengers.
D. Make a friend of the Negro man.
37. When Julian returned to his fantasy of teaching his mother a lesson, what professional type of Negro friends did he say he was unsuccessful at making?
A. Athletes or musicians.
B. Professors, ministers, or lawyers.
C. Plumbers or electricians.
D. Farmers or laborers.
38. What was the profession of the “distinguished-looking dark brown man” Julian tried to converse with on a prior bus ride?
A. A minister.
B. A journalist.
C. An undertaker.
D. A professor.
39. The ultimate horror Julian fantasized about was bringing home what kind of person?
A. A beautiful suspiciously Negroid woman.
B. A loud, aggressive man.
C. A white communist.
D. A poor beggar.
40. How was the large, gaily dressed colored woman who boarded the bus described in terms of her disposition?
A. Happy and welcoming.
B. Sullen-looking and ready to seek opposition.
C. Quiet and reserved.
D. Exhausted and meek.
41. What garment was the large colored woman wearing that caused Julian’s joy?
A. A green crepe dress.
B. A blue embroidered shawl.
C. A yellow velvet cape.
D. A purple suit.
42. What realization broke upon Julian “with the radiance of a brilliant sunrise”?
A. That his mother was ill.
B. The vision of the two identical hats.
C. That the bus was integrated.
D. That he finally understood his mother’s pain.
43. What was the name of the little boy accompanying the large colored woman?
A. Julian Jr.
B. Carver.
C. Charles.
D. George.
44. When Julian’s mother smiled at the little boy (Carver), Julian noted that it was the smile she used when she was being particularly gracious to whom?
A. Children in general.
B. An inferior.
C. Close relatives.
D. Important acquaintances.
45. After the woman yanked the boy from the seat, what did she do to him?
A. She hugged him tightly.
B. She gave the child a sharp slap.
C. She whispered a loving word.
D. She gave him a toy.
46. What was Julian’s “terrible intuition” as he and his mother prepared to exit the bus at their stop?
A. That he had forgotten his wallet.
B. That the woman would scream at them.
C. That his mother would give the little boy a coin.
D. That he would fall down the steps.
47. What coin did Julian’s mother offer the little boy just outside the bus door?
A. A bright new penny.
B. A dime.
C. A quarter.
D. A dollar bill.
48. How did the huge woman respond to the offering of the penny?
A. She took it graciously and thanked Julian’s mother.
B. She shouted, “He don’t take nobody’s pennies!” and swung her pocketbook.
C. She told the boy to thank the lady.
D. She warned Julian’s mother never to touch her son again.
49. What did Julian accuse his mother’s attacker of representing?
A. Just an uppity Negro woman.
B. The whole colored race and her “black double.”
C. A victim of poverty.
D. A psychotic criminal.
50. In her moment of collapse and confusion, what two figures from her past did Julian’s mother ask for?
A. Her doctor and Julian.
B. The bus driver and the woman.
C. Grandpa and Caroline.
D. Her husband and her sister.