The Value Of Education In Graduation Day By Maya Angelou

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The Value of Education
Americans in the nineteen-forties valued education in a different way than we do today. Graduating from the eighth-grade was consider the completion of public schooling for many Americans. In the memoir “Graduation Day,” by Maya Angelou, she describes the events and excitement leading up to, and including her eighth-grade graduation ceremony. Through the events that took place at her graduation, the way Angelou viewed her education transformed in a profound way. The value Angelou placed on her education evolved throughout the events of her graduation.
Angelou’s community rally around her and uplifts her value of education. An example of Angelou’s community supporting her in her educational ventures is displayed by the …show more content…

Donleavy’s speech weakens Angelou’s value of education is when she hears of the white Central School’s improvements that her segregated school neglected to receive. When she realizes that her school is not due to receive the new equipment her perception of education’s value is weakened. Angelou’s reaction to Donleavy’s speech damaged her value of education in another manner. Donleavy presumes that the only notable people that Lafayette County Training School could ever produce where the occasional star athletes. Donleavy ‘… had bragged that “one of the best basketball players at Fisk san his first ball right here at Lafayette County Training School.”’ The fact that any person with intelligence could graduate from that school, never even crossed Donleavy’s mind. Angelou realized at that point that her education did not matter in the least to …show more content…

Angelou shows this climb of confidence when she recounts her thoughts as she hears Henry Reed sing the Negro National Anthem. She recounts at even though she had, “Never the words, despite the thousands of times I had sung them. Never thought they had anything to do me.” Angelou found new meaning in the words that she thought she understood long ago. She understood that other Negros had gone through the same feelings that she felt and had come out on top. A final example of Angelou’s renewed faith in her education is apparent when she states that, “The depths had been icy and dark, but now a bright sun spoke to our souls.” Angelou is filled with new resolve after the completion of the Anthem. Angelou acquires a new appreciation for her education and a newfound pride in her

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