In this blog post, I will be reading a short story called "My Name is Margaret" by Maya Angelou. This short story takes place in 1928 when she is a maid. She is one of two servants to Mrs. Cullinan who is a wealthy and racist white woman. Mrs. Cullinan repeatedly offends Margaret, and tries to shorten her name to Mary. Margaret got wind of the news, that Mrs. Cullinan had also shortened Miss. Glory's name and that her real name is Hallelujah. The blatant disrespect wasn't going to last, and if Miss Glory (the second servant) wasn't going to take a stand then she would. Margaret takes matters into her own hands, and their relationship takes a turn when Margaret breaks Mrs. Cullinan's china that belonged to her mother in Virginia. I will be responding to a few questions related to the short story and my own personal experience.
Did you agree with Margaret's choice to break the casserole dish and two green glass cups? I agree with Margaret's choice to break the casserole dish and two green glass cups. The reason I agree is because imagine working really hard for someone, when you know your job is already degrading. Then, on top of that you receive even more disrespect when the person giving the orders decides to shorten your name for their own convenience. Mrs. Cullinan's rich friends came over and gave her the idea stating “Well, that may be, but the name’s too long. I’d never bother myself. I’d call her Mary if I was you.” Mrs. Cullinan began referring to Margaret as Mary. If that woman can't be bothered to pronounce your name correctly, why should anyone be bothered to wait on such an individual? That china was important to Mrs. Cullinan, exactly how Margaret felt about her own name. Mrs. Cullinan kept scratching away at Margaret's self-worth, so she hit her breaking point and decided it was time to take action into her own hands and demand respect. The dish and cups symbolizes Mrs. Cullinan's wealthy and entitled character. So, Margaret let them fall on the floor as her way of holding onto her self-worth and letting her know this ends here. If something is bothering you, let it be known. Do not suffer in silence and fall victim to someone's cruel actions or words. Mrs. Cullinan said, “Her name’s Margaret, goddam it, her name’s Margaret.” I can only applaud the outcome, Margaret's name is not Mary and she made sure it was known and acknowledged. Margaret left with her head held high, as she opened the front door to let the neighbors hear. She had the courage to fight back, something Miss. Glory never did. When have you made an important choice to either resist or not resist oppression, challenge the status quo, or refuse to obey an authority figure? I refused to obey an authority figure when I was young and impressionable. I spent some time with a girl who was older than me. I vaguely remember, but it was in the middle of the winter. We had nothing to do, and she brought up the idea to throw snowballs at cars. I only threw one snowball, and of course that was the one that hit someone's car door and I immediately knew I was in trouble. I ended up going to court for it, and the older women who worked there and reviewed my case had a preconceived idea of me and did not like me. They talked to me very harshly and were incredibly judgmental, and my mom even noticed it. It was glaringly obvious they didn't care if I was young, they didn't see it as a mistake. I had a task to complete, whatever it was, I knew I wasn't going to do it. The way they handled themselves and the situation wasn't how it should have played out. So, I did not complete the task they had asked, and I had to pay a fine as my consequence. But, in my eyes it was better than accommodating them after they chewed me out and tried to paint me in a bad light.
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AuthorHi, I'm Rebecca Stevens and this is my blog for my English Composition I class! Through my blog posts, I hope to show you bits and pieces of my life and character. Archives
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