Graduation by Maya Angelou

By King Meera -
Graduation
  1. How do the students prepare for the ceremony? Bring out the excitement in the tone of narration.
  2. How does the wait for the event turn out to be a disappointment?
  3. What are some of the striking features of this narrative that make it autobiographical?
  4. What is the significance of the speakers and the impact of their speech on the young girl?
  5. Compare and contrast both the speakers mentioned in the story.
"Maya Angelou’s “Graduation” is the story of Marguerite Johnson’s eighth grade graduation, but the events of the story and Marguerite’s reactions to them also suggest Marguerite’s personal growth in terms of her understanding of herself and others."
"Maya Angelou describes in her essay “Graduation” an abrupt shift in identity that she experienced. During her 8th grade commencement ceremony, she became painfully aware of the prejudice and stereotypes that haunt her race. She also realized the history of this behavior and the obstacles that she faces when she heard the words to the Negro National Anthem “for the first time”."

Summary
  • graduation epidemic description (excitement, juniors displaying talents for leadership and management, spirit of shared understanding, graduating classes were nobility, "now quiet and ageing seniors")
  • poverty (lack of infrastructure - only two buildings and a space that was used for baseball, rusty hoops, bats and balls could be borrowed; and hand-me-down clothing)
  • girls sad as though the old world were not their home and they would be moving on
  • boys not ready to give up the old school, familiar paths and classrooms
  • "Only a small percentage would be continuing on to college - one of the South's Agricultural and Mechanical schools, which trained Negro youths to be carpenters, farmers, handymen, masons, maids, cooks and baby nurses."
  • importance of the ceremony established by the fact that white folks would be attending it.
  • Marguerite Johnson was the center of attention at the Store and with the dress her mother was sewing, she would be lovely
  • she was slighted and insulted, and had shed tears and suffered years of withdrawal but all that was brushed aside and left behind as youth, social approval and her hard-earned top position were on her side
  • many teachers in Arkansas Negro schools had only studied till the 8th grade and were qualified to impart wisdom
  • about Henry Reed, the boy she admired (Valedictorian, top in class but MJ was pleased to "share" top place with him, he was courteous, respectful and soft-spoken to elders and rough on the playground - she admired that he could operate at a top level with both adults and children)
  • the older girls among the non-graduating classes were assigned the task of making refreshments whereas the boys made sets and stage scenery - sexism, perhaps?
  • Negro tradition to give presents to children going only from one grade to another - MJ received many such gifts with the well wishes and anticipation that she would keep on moving on to higher ground 
  • day arrived - youthful sunlight, lovely gift from Bailey, Sunday breakfast on a Friday, Bailey volunteered to do chores, dress fit perfectly, but <bum bum buummmmm>
  • sense of ill-fated timing, didn't sing Negro National Anthem, sat down abruptly, presentiment of worse things to come, Principal's hesitant introduction of Edward Donleavy the prick
Negro National Anthem

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