Maya Angelou’s “My Name is Margaret”

Introduction: Maya Angelou’s “My Name is Margaret”

Maya Angelou’s “My Name is Margaret” digs into the complexities of identity and self-discovery through the lens of a young girl confronting the challenges of social expectations.

Facts: Maya Angelou’s “My Name is Margaret”

1. Coming of Age Preparations: Both white and African American girls underwent extensive preparations for their transition into adulthood, despite the often irrelevant nature of these rituals to the challenges they would face.
2. Cultural Learning through Work: African American girls, like Maya Angelou, often learned domestic skills such as cooking and table manners while working in the homes of others, highlighting the practical aspect of their education outside of formal settings.
3. Mrs. Viola Cullinan’s Traditionalism: Mrs. Viola Cullinan, characterized as a meticulous housekeeper, upheld traditional values not only in her meticulous household organization but also in her adherence to meal timings and pride in her aristocratic lineage.
4. The Tragic Neglect of Motherhood: The narrator expresses pity for Mrs. Cullinan’s lack of biological children and her neglect of the daughters she had with her husband. Despite the daughters’ beauty, Mrs. Cullinan seems unaware of the love she is missing out on.
5. Identity and Name: The narrator’s reaction to being called “Mary” instead of her full name suggests a deeper significance attached to identity and respect. Feeling insulted, she reacts impulsively by breaking crockery and fleeing, highlighting the importance of names and the impact of perceived disrespect.

Strategies: Maya Angelou’s “My Name is Margaret”

1. First-Person Narration: The story unfolds through the first-person perspective of Maya Angelou herself, providing a singular viewpoint without insight into the perspectives of Miss Glory or Mrs. Cullinan, thus contributing to its rapid pace.
2. Imagery of the House: Describing the house as an “Alice-in-Wonderland house” conjures a magical atmosphere where everything is meticulously organized, suggesting a sense of wonder and whimsy. The imagery of “fluttering” further enhances this fantastical portrayal, likening the narrator to a bird or fairy.
3. Humorous Moments: Amidst the narrative are several humorous instances, with one standout moment being the narrator’s impulsive reaction to “flying crockery” at Miss Glory’s face, resulting in injury and ensuing chaos. The absurdity of the situation, coupled with Miss Glory’s reaction, adds a comedic element to the story.
4. Use of Simile: Maya Angelou employs the simile of the Cheshire cat’s smile to convey her pity for Mrs. Cullinan’s ignorance regarding her own daughters’ beauty. This comparison effectively underscores Mrs. Cullinan’s obliviousness to the qualities of her own children.
5. Character Relationships: The mention of Bailey as Maya Angelou’s brother and Mr. Freeman as her mother’s boyfriend suggests familiarity with these characters, implying a deeper backstory that is not fully explored in the short article. Maya’s decision not to delve into her own name or familial relationships in this context hints at their detailed exploration in her biography.

Works Cited

Burt, Sharon, and Lauren Curtright. “Maya Angelou.” (1998).

1. How does Maya Angelou explore the themes of identity and self-discovery in Maya Angelou’s “My Name is Margaret”?
2. In Maya Angelou’s “My Name is Margaret,” how does the protagonist’s journey reflect broader social expectations and cultural norms?
3. What literary techniques does Maya Angelou employ in Maya Angelou’s “My Name is Margaret” to convey the protagonist‘s emotional and psychological journey?