Sister Flowers- Power in the Voice Essay Example

inclusively benign. She was one of the few gentlewomen I have ever known and has remained throughout my life the measure of what a human being can be ” (Angelou, 1970, p. 8). The use of language and tones are the elements which express feelings and emotions from one individual. When Mrs. Flowers is having a conversation with Marguerite about words, she states, “ words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning” (Angelou, 1970, p. 89). This means that the words themselves are important, but not as important as the voice behind them. Words alone contain literal and figurative meanings, but these meanings can be more easily understood with the human understandings of voice tones.

Language, in terms of both the spoken and written word, has the power to awaken emotions in readers and listeners. For instance, Marguerite mentions that often her mother would refer to Mrs. Flowers with familiar terms such as “How you, Sister Flowers” (Angelou, 1970, p. 88)? This way made her want to hide her face in shame. This is an indication that the way her momma used her language to address Mrs. was an embarrassment to Marguerite. This is one emotion associated with how others speak. Later, Marguerite mentions how her momma had a tendency to misuse her vowels around Mrs.

Flowers in a way that aggravated and actually angered her. “Brother and Sister Wilcox is sho’ly the meanest—“ “Is”, Momma? “Is”? Oh please, not “is”, “ Momma, for two or more (Angelou, 1970, p. 88). This is a clear example of her frustration, anger and embarrassment

with the way her grandmother spoke. Finally, after a command by Mrs. Flowers, Marguerite says, “I couldn't have refused even if I wanted to. She pronounced my name so nicely. Or more correctly, she spoke each word with such clarity that I was certain a foreigner who didn't understand English could have understood her” (Angelou, 1970, p. 90).

This is an indication of how Marguerite is impressed by the oration of Mrs. Flowers. Marguerite sees Mrs. Flowers as a talented word artist who can make a name into a masterpiece. Mrs. Flowers encourages her to read, giving her books and telling her to read them aloud. She offers Maya cookies and lemonade that she made especially for her. She shows Maya what a difference a voice can make. Reading from A Tale of Two Cities, Mrs. Flowers makes the book sound like a poem. Mrs Flowers recites “ It was the best of times and the worst of times…. ” Her voice slid in and curved down through and over the words.

She was nearly singing”(Angelou, 1970, p91). The way language is used by a group of people is also indicative of what class they belong to. This is first illustrated in the work when Marguerite mentions that her mother and Mrs. Flowers were, “ .. alike as sisters, separated only by formal education” (Angelou, 1970, p. 88. ) In this phrase there is the indication that the way they speak is what really makes them different people. The class that receives a formal education is usually the one that speaks in a more eloquent manner than the class that does not.

Also, Marguerite mentions, in regards to

“powhitefolks,” (Angelou, 1970, p. 88), “I'm certain that I would have had to hear her spoken to commonly as Bertha, and my image of her would have been shattered like the unmendable Humpty-Dumpty”, (Angelou, 1970, p. 88). This shows that the terminology used by the dominant race at the time to describe the subservient ones was another indication of which was the more powerful class. The white people, even those less eloquent than Mrs. Flowers, would have the ability to assert their higher standing. Language is a separator, an emotional attractor, and a mixture of feelings.

Through the written and revised word, one can most eloquently reveal his or her thoughts. Then, through the spoken word, derived from or read directly from the revised written word, one can give structure and emotion to what has been written, creating a more powerful experience . Mrs. Flower shows her the power of a voice, the knowledge of literature, and pride in her race. Mrs. Flowers encourages Marguerite to read great works of literature, and pay attention to the usage of language. The power in your voice can break barriers and help you to communicate to reach your goals. “…. anguage is man’s way of communicating with his fellow man and it is language alone which separates him from the lower animals”, (Angelou, 1970, p. 89). Marguerite sees Mrs. Flowers as the ideal woman, someone above common people, and someone to be emulated and respected. Her influence would help Marguerite break out of her cocoon and become more interested in language and literature. Hopefully this would help her to gain confidence in her own voice. Reference Angelou, M (2012).

Sister Flowers J. Nadell, John Langan, E. a. Comodromos (Eds). The Longman Reader (pp. 87-94). New Jersey Pearson