When the word graduation comes to my mind, I think of a happy time in one's life where the joys of finishing one aspect of life has been completed. Only leaving room for the challenges that lay ahead. It is an exciting time (or at least I thought so), where one is celebrated for their success. When I saw the title of Angelou's piece I expected she would have had a similar graduation experience to my own.
Her details leading up to the event were presented well, and her description of "nobility" in school seemed relatable to almost anyone. Everyone experiences the superiority that comes along with the title of upperclassmen. The story slowly set apart from my experiences in school when Angelou brought up the topic of segregation. The description of the school's appearance and facilities compared to the white school were a clear example of racism in the 1940's.
When her principal spoke to the student body predicting the future of the graduating class, I could feel Angelou's disappointment and frustration because of his ignorant views. I like how the valedictorian changes the story and adds a positive element towards the end. When Henry says,
Her details leading up to the event were presented well, and her description of "nobility" in school seemed relatable to almost anyone. Everyone experiences the superiority that comes along with the title of upperclassmen. The story slowly set apart from my experiences in school when Angelou brought up the topic of segregation. The description of the school's appearance and facilities compared to the white school were a clear example of racism in the 1940's.
When her principal spoke to the student body predicting the future of the graduating class, I could feel Angelou's disappointment and frustration because of his ignorant views. I like how the valedictorian changes the story and adds a positive element towards the end. When Henry says,
"We have come over a way that with tears
have been watered,
we have come, treading our path through
the blood of the slaughtered"
have been watered,
we have come, treading our path through
the blood of the slaughtered"
This line follows with Mya Angelou saying, "With echoes of the song shivered in the air, Henry Reed bowed his head, said, "Thank you," and returned to his place in line. The tears slipped down many faces were not wiped away in shame. We were on top again. As always, again. We survived. The depths had been iccy and dark, but now a bright sun spoke to our souls. I was no longer simply a member of the proud graduating class of 1940; I was a proud memeber of the wonderful, beautiful Negro race."
I really liek when she says this because it made a great closing.
I really liek when she says this because it made a great closing.
I like that you are pointing out how the story veered from how you thought it was going to go. The same happened for Angelou, yes? The quotes that you have chosen are key. I also think the language she uses to describe how she felt after Donleavy's speech is particularly effective in how it contrasts the descriptions in the beginning and the sense of hope and pride that your quote in the end captures. What do you think?
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