Finishing School Maya Angelou

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In the short story, “Finishing school” by Maya Angelou, effectively demonstrates the key components of a literacy narrative in her story based on a past memory. One of the key components of a literacy narrative is the use of vivid details to describe the event. Angelou utilizes this in her short story when describing Mrs. Cullinan whose “eyes and mouth which made her look perpetually dirty… and her face looked like a mask of an impish elf.” (Angelou 1). Including this detail enables the reader to understand the situation and her surroundings. Angelou continues to provide evidence of a well written literacy narrative by explaining the significance of the story. In the story the main character, Margaret, struggles with people pronouncing her name correctly. Mrs. Cullivan felt that the “name’s too long.” (Angelou 2) and she would “call her Mary” (Angelou 2). This angered Margaret since she felt as if she was being simplified as a person. Also her name was part of her culture, therefore she felt as if she was being …show more content…
Agosin set up a well told story by portraying a problem that needs resolution. Within Agosin’s short story explains how she has a problem due to her being “one who writes in Spanish and lives in translation.” (Agosin 79). This allows for the setup of a resolution that keeps the reader engaged with the story to find a solution. Agosin also includes the key feature of creating a significance within the story. The resolution occurs later in the story when her poem “was translated and published in the English language.” (Agosin 80). Finally she felt her poem “expressed in another language, spoke for itself.” (Agosin 80). This serves as both the resolution and the significance. At this moment it was the first time she felt she could express herself across other
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