Maya Angelou Response Essay - 717 Words

A race war between whites and blacks has blighted American history since colonial times. In her essay â€Å"Graduation,† Maya Angelou recollects the experience of her eighth grade graduation in the 1930s to examine the personal growth of humans caught in the adversity of racial discrimination. Through narrative structure, selection of detail, and use of imagery, Angelou encourages young blacks to follow their ambitions with pride, despite what the â€Å"white man† thinks of them. Through her narrative structure, Angelou aspires for young black students to maintain â€Å"Negro† pride and strong ambition. Her essay is built on a foundation of intertwined objective and subjective narration which follows chronological order. It commences with Angelou†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Those who were years removed from their own day of glorious release were anxious to help with preparations.† Children are described as trembling â€Å"with visible anticipation † and the teachers have become â€Å"respectful of the now quiet and aging seniors.† This illustrates the immense pride and unity that is induced by the graduation ceremony. Angelou also provides an elegant self-analysis of her own rank and importance within Stamps. In terms of intellectual ability, it is clear that Angelou is better achieved than the majority, for she stands at nearly the top of her class. In addition, Angelou holds great aspirations for her future; she does not let society’s low expectations keep her from excelling. With imagery, Angelou emphasizes the appearance of the graduates and their reaction to Donleavy’s racism. She transmits this using a variety of techniques; the most common trope being similes. However, Angelou also utilizes other devices such as metaphors and personification. Before the graduation ceremony, Angelou uses visual imagery to vividly accentuate the appearance of her and the other graduates. They are â€Å"the rea l nobility;† Angelou is â€Å"a walking model of all the various styles of fine hand sewing† and â€Å"looks like a sunbeam.† They are all dignifiedly dressed. During the ceremony, Angelou uses imagery to intensify the reaction toShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Interpretation of None the Other, Maya Angelou1508 Words   |  7 Pagesinterpretation of a poem alter the true value of the poem itself? The answer to this question may vary, depending on one’s interpretation. Then again, that response can be used to answer every question this world holds. Dr. Maya Angelou is one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time. Hailed as a global renaissance woman, Dr. Angelou is a celebrated poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. As a strong African-American womanRead MoreI Know Why The Caged Bird Sings1159 Words   |  5 PagesI Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou is an autobiogra phical coming of age story set in the midst of the racially charged era of the Jim Crow Laws. Angelou’s novel explores the enormously influential first seventeen years of her life, as she struggles to overcome the seemingly insurmountable personal and societal adversities such as rape, race, instability, and insecurity. Angelou’s powerful depictions of the events of her early life immediately immerses her readers in the fact that lifeRead MoreI Know Why The Caged Bird Sings1004 Words   |  5 PagesSings is a book that speaks solely on the upbringing of Maya Angelou, and on the accomplishments, yet struggles that make Maya the woman she is. 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