"Everything That Rises Must Converge" is a short story by Flannery O'Connor that explores the theme of racial tension in the South during the Civil Rights movement. The story follows Julian, a young man who is struggling with his own biases and prejudices, as he takes his mother on a bus ride to a weight-loss class. Along the way, they encounter a black woman who is also traveling on the bus, and the encounter forces Julian to confront his own feelings about race and segregation.
One of the main themes of the story is the idea that "everything that rises must converge," which refers to the idea that all things, whether they be good or bad, must eventually come together and meet. This theme is exemplified through the relationship between Julian and his mother, who represent different generations and have different viewpoints on race. Julian is a young man who has grown up during the Civil Rights movement and has been exposed to new ideas about equality and integration. His mother, on the other hand, is an older woman who has lived through segregation and is resistant to change.
Throughout the story, O'Connor uses the bus ride as a metaphor for the larger societal changes that are happening at the time. The bus represents the idea of progress and movement towards a more equal and integrated society. However, the journey is not smooth, as Julian and his mother encounter obstacles and confrontations along the way. These obstacles represent the resistance and reluctance that many people had towards the Civil Rights movement, as well as the deep-seated biases and prejudices that still existed in society.
The encounter with the black woman on the bus serves as a turning point for Julian, as he is forced to confront his own biases and prejudices. Julian initially reacts with anger and resentment towards the woman, and his mother reinforces his feelings by telling him that the woman is "uppity" and "thinks she's as good as white folks." However, as the encounter continues, Julian begins to see the woman as an individual, rather than just a symbol of the race issues he has been grappling with. He realizes that he has been treating her unfairly and that his own biases have been clouding his judgement.
In the end, Julian's encounter with the black woman serves as a wake-up call for him, and he begins to see the world in a different way. He starts to understand that progress and change are inevitable, and that everything that rises must converge. This realization represents a shift in Julian's thinking, and he becomes more open and accepting of the changes happening in society.
Overall, "Everything That Rises Must Converge" is a thought-provoking story that explores the theme of racial tension and the struggles of the Civil Rights movement. Through the character of Julian and his encounter with the black woman on the bus, O'Connor illustrates the idea that everything that rises must converge, and that progress and change are inevitable. The story serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and acceptance, and the need to overcome our own biases and prejudices in order to move forward as a society.
The BCG (Boston Consulting Group) matrix is a tool used by companies to evaluate their business units or product lines based on two dimensions: relative market share and market growth. The matrix divides the business units or product lines into four categories: stars, cash cows, dogs, and question marks.
Stars are business units or product lines that have a high market share in a growing market. These units or lines generate a lot of cash and are considered the main growth drivers of the company.
Cash cows are business units or product lines that have a high market share in a mature market. These units or lines generate a lot of cash, but they do not contribute to the growth of the company.
Dogs are business units or product lines that have a low market share in a mature market. These units or lines do not generate much cash and do not contribute to the growth of the company.
Question marks are business units or product lines that have a low market share in a growing market. These units or lines may have potential for growth, but they require a lot of investment to catch up with the competition.
Now, let's apply the BCG matrix to Reliance, a diversified conglomerate company in India.
Reliance has several business units and product lines, including telecommunications, retail, petrochemicals, and energy.
The telecommunications unit, Jio, can be considered a star. Jio has a high market share in the growing telecommunications market in India and has been a major growth driver for Reliance.
The retail unit, Reliance Retail, can be considered a cash cow. Reliance Retail has a high market share in the mature retail market in India and generates a lot of cash, but it does not contribute much to the overall growth of the company.
It is difficult to classify the petrochemicals and energy units as either dogs or question marks because these industries are subject to fluctuations in demand and prices. However, the petrochemicals unit may be considered a cash cow due to its high market share and cash generation, while the energy unit may be considered a question mark due to its low market share and potential for growth.
Overall, the BCG matrix can help Reliance identify its growth drivers and allocate resources accordingly. It can also help the company make strategic decisions about which business units or product lines to invest in and which ones to divest.
