Our recent assignment for English composition had us read an excerpt from Maya Angelou's book “I know why the Cage bird sings.” Unbeknownst to the class this reading was a sort of test to see who would attempt to research this author and discover where this short story came from.
The story we read was called My Name is Margaret, it focuses on the author as a young girl dealing with racial issues and classicism while working as servant to a white women. When she begins working there she is quiet and deals with the perfectionistic attitude of her boss Mrs. Viola Cuillnan. It isn’t until the mistress begins to call her Mary that a nerve is truly struck. “Mary” eventually grows tired of her mistress's disrespect and breaks one of her cherished dishes as a sort of revenge. Personally I do agree with her breaking the plates and cups. Maya was more or less caught in an endless cycle of being controlled. When Mrs.Cuillnan changes her name it was a way of her claiming Maya as one of her belongings. This further shows how materialistic she is, she must constantly be in control of everything around her in order to get by. Maya breaking the plates was all it took to “break” Mrs. Cuillnan, from that moment her control was broken as well as her spirit. Maya is more free at that moment then ever before. This was the first step in her life to becoming the civil rights activist she would be later in life.
6 Comments
Ashley Coley
9/18/2017 05:33:10 pm
I agree with your comment that Margaret was rebellious. I got the feeling she didn’t like being controlled at all and was willing to stand up to her oppressors. I don’t believe this was a onetime occurrence however that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Great work!
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Dominique candidi
9/18/2017 05:55:19 pm
I definitely agree that Margaret didn't like being controlled, but I mean who does?
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Tori Larer
9/18/2017 07:02:35 pm
Your intro is really well written. I agree that this was probably one of the first steps in her life to becoming the civil rights activist she would be later in life especially since she was so young. Its truly inspiring.
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David
9/19/2017 08:18:36 am
SMASH THE PLATES FOR FREEDOM! I agree..
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Siani,
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Brianna Costa
9/19/2017 06:35:19 pm
I read your blog and I agree that she should have stood up for her rights. I am curious to know why you didn't include the importance of the glasses to mrs. Cullinan? I believe this would help readers be able to understand just how powerful that scene was.
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sIANI DAVISThis blog is for class assignments as well as self-expression and growth. Archives
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