While julian’s mother’s outdated and prejudiced views reveal a condescending character in “everything that rises must converge,” her repetition of the line that “rome wasn’t built in a day” suggests

she is a flat character unwilling to travel to rome or any other place outside the united states.

she is a flat character who has lost hope in her son.

she is a complex character who excuses her son’s job when he has higher hopes and goals.

she is a complex character who believes in her son’s architecture skills and european knowledge.