ENC1101
Aerial Smith
Professor Beck
ENC1101 #181009
February 19, 2014
Written Response Chapter 1
75 Readings Plus 8th Edition
“Mothers Victory”
Is this simply a story about bad-mannered children & racism? Or is Angelou’s intent more complex? Angelou’s intent is much more complex and deep to just be categorized as a story about “bad-mannered children & racism.” Angelou goes into detail about the way Momma carried herself on a day to day basis, and then shows the outcome of the situation at hand; which shows dignity and integrity.
In the beginning, Momma’s character is portrayed as a hard, rigid woman. Even in the “bitterest of winter”, Momma would make her grandchildren wash every single inch of their body. She would even pull the quilts off the children’s feet once they were in bed, just to make certain that they were clean; and if they weren’t, she would grab the “emergency switch” and strike the offender a couple of times. Some families of “powhitetrash” lived on her farm land just behind the school. Momma made sure all of her children addressed the adults in a polite manner. It was almost an unspoken law, if you will, none of her children dared to violate the rule. Everyone knew about the accepted law, except for the “powhitetrash” children. At this point in the story, one might think it to be about the appalling and tragic history African Americans had undergone throughout the years. One might have even thought the end to be quite predictable, possibly concluding in an act of violence that could potentially start an uproar in society. I know I did. Momma’s grandchildren couldn’t fathom calling Momma “Annie”, so when other young adolescents would come into the store and address her as such, they would be livid. Almost ashamed. Also, their Uncle worked in the store with Momma. White kids would come in the store bossing him around, giving him things to do that could easily be done by themselves. To her “crying shame”, he and his grandmother would do
Professor Beck
ENC1101 #181009
February 19, 2014
Written Response Chapter 1
75 Readings Plus 8th Edition
“Mothers Victory”
Is this simply a story about bad-mannered children & racism? Or is Angelou’s intent more complex? Angelou’s intent is much more complex and deep to just be categorized as a story about “bad-mannered children & racism.” Angelou goes into detail about the way Momma carried herself on a day to day basis, and then shows the outcome of the situation at hand; which shows dignity and integrity.
In the beginning, Momma’s character is portrayed as a hard, rigid woman. Even in the “bitterest of winter”, Momma would make her grandchildren wash every single inch of their body. She would even pull the quilts off the children’s feet once they were in bed, just to make certain that they were clean; and if they weren’t, she would grab the “emergency switch” and strike the offender a couple of times. Some families of “powhitetrash” lived on her farm land just behind the school. Momma made sure all of her children addressed the adults in a polite manner. It was almost an unspoken law, if you will, none of her children dared to violate the rule. Everyone knew about the accepted law, except for the “powhitetrash” children. At this point in the story, one might think it to be about the appalling and tragic history African Americans had undergone throughout the years. One might have even thought the end to be quite predictable, possibly concluding in an act of violence that could potentially start an uproar in society. I know I did. Momma’s grandchildren couldn’t fathom calling Momma “Annie”, so when other young adolescents would come into the store and address her as such, they would be livid. Almost ashamed. Also, their Uncle worked in the store with Momma. White kids would come in the store bossing him around, giving him things to do that could easily be done by themselves. To her “crying shame”, he and his grandmother would do