Question

Which word best describes Angelou’s tone towards Mrs. Cullinan in chapter 16? *

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Derisive

Explanation:

The question is from Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In Chapter 16, Angelou, through her main character, Marguerite, describes the discrimination between how white and black girls are prepared for life. She describes,  “While white girls learned to waltz and sit gracefully with a tea cup balanced . . . we were lagging behind, learning the mid-Victorian values.” Black girls are also taught to work in the kitchen for white families.

One day, Marguerite overhears her employer, Mrs. Cullinan while she's talking to the cook. “her name’s too long. I’d never bother myself. I’d call her Mary if I was you.” Angelou describes Marguerite's anger and disgust in the words, “lunch in her mouth a second time.” Later, Marguerite is so angry that she decides to quit her job and breaks several of Mrs. Cullinan's favorite dishes.