Before You Read Cinderella’s Stepsisters Meet Toni Morrison (bom 1931) ‘African American woman to be awarded ‘the Nobel Prize in Literature. This presti- gious prize, given to one outstanding writer every year, recognizes a variety of literature and authors. This recognition of Morrison solidified her standing as an internationally renowned and respected author. I: 1993 Toni Morrison became the first “At some point in life the world’s beauty becomes enough.” “Toni Morrison Beginnings Toni Morrison was born Chloe Anthony Wofford in Lorain, Ohio. She later changed her first name to “Toni” because she grew tired of people mispronouncing *Chiloe.” As a child, Mortison read con- stantly. She also enjoyed listening to her ‘community's folktales, which her father related to her. She began her studies at Howard University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in English. She went on to earn a master’s degree from Cornell University. After graduating, she taught English at Texas Southern University and Howard University. She became a textbook editor and later a senior editor at a major publishing house in New York City Morrison published her first novel, The Bluest Eye, in 1970. The Bluest Eye is set in 1941 in Ohio and tells the story of a young African ‘American girl who is consumed with want ing to achieve a white ideal of beauty: blonde hair and blue eyes. 482 UNIT 2. NONFICTION Style Morrison's work is praised for its exami nation of the experience of being an African ‘American woman in the United States at vari- ‘ous historical times, Morrison does not neces- sarily use straightforward narrative to tell her stories and sometimes abruptly changes scenes or point of view. Morrison also incorporates elements such as myth and superstition. Continued Success Morrison's successes inelude the novels Sula (1973), Song of Solomon (1977), Tar Baby (1981), Jazz (1992), Paradise (1998), and Love (2008). Beloved (1987), won a Pulitzer Prize for fiction. In addition to her novels, Morrison has written short stories, plays, speeches, essays, and nonfiction, including Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and Literary Imagination (1992) and Remember: The Journey to School Integration (200). ‘Morrison writes to communicate the female African American experience. She claims that ‘one of her goals in writing is to encourage other African American women to “repossess, ze-name [and] re-own.” Yet ultimately her books are popular with a wide variety of readers and, ‘as a result, Morrison has been called one of the best American writers of her time. Literature Oni ‘Author Search For more about Ton Morison, goto | fJencoscom and enter QuichPass code GLSS794U2Literature and Reading Preview Connect to the Speech When were you responsible fr others? Freewrt fora few minutes about such a time and explain how you remained ‘concemed about and compassionate towards others. Build Background Toni Morison was asked to speak at graduation at Barnard College, 2 women’ college affliated with Columbia University in New York City. Inher speech, Morrison uses the fer tale of Cinderella to make the point that women in positions of power should stil look out for their flow females, Set Purposes for Reading Keeping Freedom Alive ‘As you read Morrisons speech, ask yourself, How does she take a stand against selish behavior and for freedom for women? Author's Purpose An author's purpose is his or her intent in wring a literary work. An author’s purpose depends in part on the audience. For ‘@ample, the author may intend to inform, persuade, entertain, fella story, or express an opinion. As you read, ask yourself, What paticular characteristics of Morisons audience may have infiuenced her pupose inthe speech? Identify Problem and Solution Persuasive essays and speeches are often buit on a problem- solution pattern, The author tres to convince the reader that ‘an undesirable belie, situation, or practice needs to be changed in a certain way. As you read this speech, ask yourself, What problem does Morrison call to the reader's attention, and what solution does she suggest? Tip: Chart the Problem and Solution Create a two-column hart similar to the one below. In the left column, lst aspects of the problem. n the right column, lst aspects of the solution. Problem Women stop the promotion of other Solution Women must come to the aid of the victims. Women's careers att For pages 442-447 In studying this text you wll focus on the following objectives Literary Study: Analyzing authors purpose. Reading: Analyzing txt structure eed fetish (fetish) n, abnormally obsessive preoccupation or attachment; a fixation; p. 444 ‘She has a fetish for books; she buys them constantly dominion (ds min’yan) n, control ‘or the exercise of control; p. 444 The king's dominion spans the entre country. deflect (di fekt) v. to cause to turn aside; to bend or deviate; . 445. The wind deflected the ball rom is sight path emanate (em’a nat) v. to come or set forth, as from a source; p. 445 The campfire emanated heat thoughout the night. abstraction (ab srak’shan) n. the- retical concept isolated from real application; p. 445. An idea is an abstraction, while an action isnot Tip: Context Clues Remember that some context cues restate ‘while others provide synonyms, antonyms, or examples. TONI MORRISON 443Two Young Gil hom Fnand, 1907. Sonia Oelaunay Col Hen Nannen Emden, Germany ‘once-upon-a-time time when you first heard, or read, or, I suspect, even saw “Cinderella.” Because it is Cinderella that I ‘want to talk about; because it is Cinderella ‘who causes me a feeling of urgency. What is “unsettling about that fairy tale is that itis essentially the story of household—a world, if you please—of women gathered together and held together in order to abuse another woman, There is, of course, a rather vague absent father and a nick-of-time prince with 2 foot fetish. But neither has much person- ality. And there are the surrogate “mothers, of course (god- and step-), who contribute both to Cinderella's grief and to her release and happiness, But itis her stepsisters who interest me. How crippling it must have been for those young girls to grow up with et me begin by taking you back a little. Back before the days at college. ‘Author's Purpose How does this statement hep -orizon engage her ounce atenton? fetish (fh). abnormaly cesive preaecupe Flom or atachmeng; lation 444 UNIT 2 NONFICTION inderella's isters Toni Morrison a mother, to watch and imitate that mother, enslaving another gir. Tam curious about their fortunes after the story ends. For contrary to recent adapta- tions, the stepsisters were not ugly, clumsy, stupid girls with outsize feet. The Grimm col- lection describes them as “beautiful and fair in appearance.” When we are introduced to them they are beautiful, elegant, women of status, and clearly women of power. Having watched and participated in the violent dominion of another woman, will they be any less cruel when it comes their turn to ‘enslave other children, or even when they are required to take care oftheir own mother? It is not a wholly medieval problem. It is quite a contemporary? one: feminine power when directed at other women has histori- 1, Adaptations ar compostons that are writen in ne fom, 2. Contemporary means current “modern” [entify Problem and Solution How does Morison lesion to the Cinderella sory foreshadow the main problem posed in her speech? dominion (da min’son) m. conta or the exercise of contratcally been wielded in what has been described as a “masculine” manner. Soon ‘you will be in a position to do the very ‘same thing. Whatever your background— rich or poor—whatever the history of edu- cation in your family—five generations or ‘one—you have taken advantage of what has been available to you at Barnard and you will therefore have both the economic and social status of the stepsisters and you will have their power. want not to ask you but to fell you not to participate in the oppression of your sisters... Women who stop the promotion of other women in careers are women, and another woman must come to the victim's aid. Social and welfare workers who humili- ate their clients may be women, and other ‘women colleagues have to deflect their anger. Tam alarmed by the violence that ‘women do to each other: professional vio- lence, competitive violence, emotional violence. Iam alarmed by the willingness of women to enslave other women. lam alarmed by a growing absence of decency on the killing floor of professional wom- en’s worlds. You are the women who will take your place in the world where you can decide who shall flourish and who shall wither; you will make distinctions between the deserving poor and the undeserving poor; where you can yourself determine which life is expendable’ and which is, indispensable. Since you will have the power to do it, you may also be persuaded 5 Espendable means “easly replaced” ‘Author's Purpose How does Morrison make ths plea to hr audience eectve? ‘Moly Pellem and Solution What aspect of the problem does Momsen ident inthis paragraph? (i lek”) wo cause o eum aside; co bend that you have the right to do it. As educated women the distinction between the two is first-order business. Lam suggesting that we pay as much attention to our nurturing sensibilities as to our ambition. You are moving in the direc- tion of freedom and the function of freedom is to free somebody else. You are moving, toward self-fulfillment, and the consequences of that fulfillment should be to discover that there is something just as important as you are and that just-as-important thing may be Cinderella—or your stepsister. In your rainbow journey toward the reali- zation of personal goals, don’t make choices based only on your security and your safety. Nothing is safe. That is not to say that any- thing ever was, or that anything worth achieving ever should be. Things of value seldom are. It is not safe to have a child. Its not sae to challenge the status quo.‘ is not safe to choose work that has not been done before. Or to do old work in a new way. ‘There will always be someone there to stop you. But in pursuing your highest ambitions, don't let your personal safety diminish the safety of your stepsister. In wielding the power that is deservedly yours, don’t permit it to enslave your stepsisters. Let your might and your power emanate from that place in you that is nurturing and caring, Women’s rights is not only an fion, a cause; itis also a personal affair. It is not only about “us”; itis also about me and you. Just the two of us. & | Stas quo means “he esting condition” Keeping Freedom Alive What is Morrison ating the ‘udlence to do to protect freedom fr themselves ond for ‘women in genera? > it’). to come or set forth, a rom abrtion (2b sak sho) nthe concept Slated fom real application TONI MORRISON 445After You Read Respond and Think Critically Respond and Interpret 1. (@What are the main points Morison made in her speech? (b)I you were a Bamard graduate, ‘what comments might you have offered in response to her speech? 2. (@According to Morison, how do women in ower often treat one another? (b)How might this affect the graduates to whom she is speaking? 3 (@)From Morrison’ view, how should those in ower treat one another? (b)How should the students’ education distinguish them from oth- ers in power? Analyze and Evaluate 4. (@)How does Morrison persuade her listeners to take action? (b)How does Morrison’ alignment with Cinderella’ stepsisters strengthen or weaken her argument? 5. Is this speech appropriate for men as well as women? Explain your position. 6. Mortson cloims that women often oppress ‘other women. What evidence does she use to suppor this statement? Connect 7. EEIEIEN Keeping Freedom Alive Morrison takes a stand against women oppressing ‘women in this speech, In what ways do you find her argument to be valid? 8. Connect to Today Think of women who are in positions of power in the world today. In your opinion, do those women try to help other ‘women, or do they “participate in the oppres- sion of [thet] sisters"? Give reasons to support your belie. Author's Purpose 1. Morison’s purpose in making this speech was to (A) explain that women can be as competitive and cutthroat as men (8) persuade her listeners to be encouraging and nurturing to other women (point out that fairy tales do not always teach sound lessons for life {P) demonstrate how to be successful without being cruel (©) provide examples of how women have participated in their own oppression Review: Analogy ‘An analogy is @ comparison that shows the rela- tionship between two things that are otherwise dis- similar. Writers often use an analogy to explain something unfamiliar by comparing it to a familar concept AMG UNIT 2 NONFICTION Partner Activity With a classmate, discuss how Motison uses the familiar Cinderella story to make a point. Make @ web lke the one below to organize your thoughts about the analogy. Then, evaluate whether you think that this analogy is successful and why. coar2 Sed(RIPEN Weentify Problem and Solution ‘Some persvasive essays or speeches present mul tiple problems and solutions. In her brief com- ‘mencement address, Morison chooses to focus (on one significant problem and solution, Refer to the chart you made as you read the selection to help you answer the folowing questions. 1. In your own words state the problem that Monson poses in her speech 2. What solution does Morison propose to rem- ‘ey the problem? Do you think this solution is adequate? Explain Practice with Context Clues Identify the con: teat clues in the following sentences that help yu determine the meaning of each boldfaced vocabulary word, 1. Because Kata did not want to answer the ‘questions she tried to deflect them 2. The powerful speaker held domi the mesmerized audience. $n over 3. A stench emanates from the garbage cans and rises ito the apartment building. 4, Mc. Chang had a fetish for model applanes, ‘which filed every she in his house 5. Although world peace seems like an abstraction, there are concrete ways to make ita realty Literature Online Selection Resources For Selection Quizes eash- Cards and Reading Ming Connection aces, goto Jencoecom and enter QuichPars code GLS9794U2. White with Style EA Apply Repetition ‘Assignment Wite alte to the edtor that uses fepettion or other thetrcal devices to help per sude the reader. Get Ideas As part of her personal style, Morison Uses repetition to make appeals and lend rhetrical force to her writing, Review Morison’ use of repe- tition. Then find an editorial with which you strongly agree or disagree. List two oF three points you can make to support or rebut the argument presented inthe editorial Give It Structure Make an outline like the one below that states your thesis and orders your Points from mast important to least important or Vice versa, For each point lst rhetorical devies, such as tepetion, analogies, or anecdotes, that you can weave in as you support your pois. Begin your letter with a thes statement that refers to the editorial, L Thesis Statement ‘A. Most Important Point 1. Rhetorical Device 2. Rhetorical Device B. Another Important Point 1 x Look at Language Nake sure you make strong Points; then give them rhetorical force by means of repetition or another device Point Example: A dog parks a necessity in a city with 2,348 licensed dogs. Repetition conveys and emphasizes point [x ample: The dogs aren't going away. The dog own: ers aren't going away. The need for open space for ‘exercise isn't going away, either. Edit and Proofread Proofread your letter, corecting ‘any errors in speling, grammar, and punctuation. TONI MORRISON 447