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This story shows a depressing mother and son relationship in which the conflict is never resolved, or even acknowledged. This relationship is a symbol that describes the transition from what the south previously was (the Old South), with its values used to justify slavery and segregation, to what the south seemed to be turning into (the New South), one that’s striving for equality. Mrs. Chestney seems to represent the Old South, and her son …

…way, to take her charity. Julian takes the opportunity to scold his mother, totally unaware of course that she is going to die soon; he realizes how much he depends on his mother. As the Old South dies, the New South emerges. As an advanced society, it seems that we may never, in our lifetime, evolve to a point without racism, or at the very least, it will continue to be a very long process.