Finishing School

This text 'Finishing School' is written by Maya Angelou is a satric essay that deals with the pathetic condition of Black American in America. It tries to explore the race discrimination and domination of white over Blacks in America.

Black people were treated biasly and considered to be inferior and uncivilized. They weren't given equal rights and compelled to work as servant in white people's home in the name of learning essential works and skills for proper civilization for years. Black American girls had to work as maids in the houses of rich white Americans to learn the culture and life styles. They were overexploited in those places with household works especially kitchen work like cleaning dishes, cooking food, scrapping the floor, hovering carpets, washing clothes, setting tables, etc. They were deprived of freedom and seldom well treated by their mistress.

The main character of this text is Margaret, a ten years old Black American girl who was sent to Mrs. Cullinan's house for training. Mrs. Viola Cullinan was a plump white woman lived alone after her husband married a black woman when she wasn't able to give birth of any baby. She was too delicate boned and the doctor had taken out all her lady organs. Her husband Mr. Cullinan had two daughters from his second wife. Mrs. Cullinan was singularly unattractive. Her behaviour was inhuman. She had become alcoholic in her loneliness. Yet, she had kept up the tradition of her wealthy parents. She had Miss Glory who was a descendent of slaves working for the Cullinan's over two decades. Miss Glory was honest and obident to her mistress Mrs. Cullinan.

The narrator had to learn many things. Miss Glory helped her learn the things like about tureen (a round bowl in which soup is served), goblets, sherbet glasses, wine glasses and many more. She had to serve people visiting there with various dishes. One of the lady changed her original name and called her 'Mary' instead of 'Margaret'. With this reference, the writer focused on the ill behaviour of white rich ones to the poor Negros in contemporary America. They were called with different names like niggers, jigs, dings, blackbirds, crows, boots, and many more for centuries. The author says that it is a dangerous practice of domination.

The essay 'Finishing School' is a satric and presented through bitter and sarcastic tone. Sometimes it is humorous as well. It shows the domination over the race and complication of life of Black Americans.