Posted: December 29th, 2022

“ Finishing School” by Maya Angelou and “What’s in a Name?” by Henry Louis Gates Jr.

I need a Compare and Contrast essay. I need a eight paragraph essay comparing and contrasting the two short stories “ Finishing School” by Maya Angelou and “What’s in a Name?” by Henry Louis Gates Jr. I need to have three points to compare so I need three point thesis. I need three points of comparison. I need Works cited page must be included which includes two stories or research you decide. I need to have quotes from stories to help make points. In tex citations must indicate necessary information. I will provide the page numbers for stories so that may cite correctly.
Introduction:

In this essay, we will compare and contrast the two short stories “Finishing School” by Maya Angelou and “What’s in a Name?” by Henry Louis Gates Jr. Both of these stories explore themes of identity and self-discovery, but they approach these themes in different ways.

Paragraph 1: The setting of the stories

“Finishing School” is set in the 1930s, during the time of segregation in the United States. The story follows a young African American girl named Marguerite who is attending a finishing school for girls. The story takes place at the school and in the surrounding community.

“What’s in a Name?” is set in the present day and follows a young African American man named Henry Louis Gates Jr. who is trying to trace his family history through genealogy research. The story takes place in various locations, including libraries, archives, and the homes of Gates’ relatives.

Paragraph 2: The main characters

In “Finishing School,” the main character is Marguerite, a young African American girl who is trying to navigate the challenges of growing up during a time of segregation. Marguerite is a determined and ambitious character who wants to succeed in school and make the most of her opportunities.

In “What’s in a Name?” the main character is also named Henry Louis Gates Jr. He is a successful writer and academic who is trying to learn more about his family history and ancestry. Gates is a curious and intellectual character who is eager to uncover the secrets of his past.

Paragraph 3: The themes of identity and self-discovery

Both “Finishing School” and “What’s in a Name?” explore themes of identity and self-discovery. In “Finishing School,” Marguerite is trying to figure out who she is and what she wants to become in a world that often tries to limit her possibilities because of her race. She learns to stand up for herself and to embrace her own identity, despite the challenges and obstacles she faces.

In “What’s in a Name?”, Gates is also trying to discover more about who he is and where he comes from. Through his genealogy research, he uncovers the history of his ancestors and learns more about his own identity. He also learns to embrace and celebrate his African American heritage.

Paragraph 4: The narrative style of the stories

“Finishing School” is told from the first-person perspective of Marguerite, who narrates her own story. This allows the reader to get a sense of Marguerite’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences as she navigates the challenges of growing up during a time of segregation.

“What’s in a Name?” is told from a third-person perspective and follows Gates as he conducts his genealogy research. The story is written in a more factual and informative style, as Gates shares the information he discovers about his family history.

Paragraph 5: The use of imagery and symbolism

“Finishing School” makes use of imagery and symbolism to convey the themes of the story. For example, the finishing school itself is a symbol of the social constraints and expectations placed on young African American women during this time. The school’s strict rules and regulations represent the ways in which Marguerite and her classmates are expected to conform to societal norms.

“What’s in a Name?” also uses imagery and symbolism, but in a different way. For example, the act of researching one’s family history

Order | Check Discount