Language as a Tool in Maya Angelou's "graduation"

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In Maya Angelou's Essay `Graduation' the use of language as a navigational tool is very evident, as it leads from emotion to emotion on the occasion of the author's graduation from eighth grade. Over the course of the work, Angelou displays 3 major emotions simply based from the language she uses; excitement, disappointment and finally, redemption The beginning of this work focuses on speaking of excitement and joy due to the upcoming eighth grade graduation, "The children in Stamps trembled visibly with anticipation" (835). The children were shaking with excitement due to the impending graduation services. The graduation is the most important thing happening in the town of Stamps, "We even made a sign for the Store....It read clearly "CLOSED GRADUATION" (837). They even closed the town store for the festivities. The coming of graduation is shown as a proud day, and holds a sunny future for the narrator and her classmates, "My class was wearing butter yellow pique dresses...the lemony cloth...embroidered raised daisies" (835) and "My dress fitted perfectly...everyone said I looked like a sunbeam in it" (837), all these images of warm colors, flowers and butterflies, were scattered throughout the beginning of the work, and contribute to the high spirits and overall happy mood of the day. All of this happiness and sunshine also contributes to the feeling of there is a looming black cloud ahead. Another emotion portrayed through the narrators language is disappointment. The center of the work is where the story takes a deep turn downward - and the black cloud presents itself. Mr. DonLeavy's presence was insult enough, but to say he was "glad to be here to see the work going on just as it was in the other schools" (838)... ... middle of paper ... ...red, we have come, treading our path through the blood and the slaughtered" (841). This is the turning point where the narrator actually listens to the words of the song and realizes the sacrifices made before her and the opportunities that lay ahead of her, "We were on top again (p.388)," the "we" meaning the entire Negro Race. Until then, she didn't see herself as a member of the Negro Race, but just as a member of the graduating class of 1940. A rite of passage takes place here, where a young, naive black girl takes a step up to maturity and proudly joins her race. "I was no longer simply a member of the graduating class of 1940; I was a proud member of the wonderful, beautiful Negro race" (841). She begins to realize what it means to be an American Negro and that she herself, is a monument to the struggles and sacrifices made by those who faced even greater odds.

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