The Counsel of Mrs. Flowers

" In this manner, Angelou learns from Mrs. Flowers that the arts, compassion and interconnection with humanity are possible to achieve in the middle of often harsh and violent conditions.

Angelou's mother works warm but she is somewhat neglectful of her children despite loving them. She cannot set up the needs for compassion and exploration lying dormant down the stairs the surface of Angelou's isolation from others after her rape. Mrs. Flowers can fulfill this region and does so in ways that change Angelou's life and concern her development significantly. Maya is attracted to Mrs. Flowers because she is different than most adults in her environment. Mrs. Flowers is not merely sophisticated and educated compared to most adults in Stamps, but she is in any case someone whose identity is firmly formed and inspires pride and sureness in the young Angelou. As Angelou (2004, p. 75) tells us, "She appealed to me because she was like people I never met person every(prenominal)y?It would be safe to say that she do me proud to be Negro, just by being herself. She acted just as refined as whitefolks in the movies and books, and she was more beautiful."

In addition to modeling class, taste, education and self-esteem to the young Angelou, all of which give her more self-confidence about herself, Mrs. Flowers also provides a gift to Angelou that will sustain her development

Angelou, M. (2004). The Collected Autobiographies of Maya Angelou. New York: Modern Library.

Angelou shares many episodes from her flummoxs with Mrs. Flowers, from sharing rime and literature to eating good food and explaining the often inapt but close relationship between Mrs. Flowers and her mother. She discovers that though she detested her mother for referring to Mrs. Flowers as "sisters," ("Mrs.

Flowers deserved better than to be called Sister."), except for their difference in education they were close as sisters, (Angelou, 2004, p. 75). up to now Mrs. Flowers' last name is symbolic of her impact as a role model and lifeline for the young Angelou. Flowers cannot grow in chalky soil, like the racist, poor, violent soil of Stamps. However, when provided with sun, water and nurturing soil, flowers not only grow but they blossom fully. This is similar to the experience of Angelou's own development, in the shadow of the nurturing "Sister Flowers." We see that crimson Angelou's mother recognizes the value of her daughter having exposure to the decency and intelligence of Mrs. Flowers, perspicacious that she cannot provide her with the wisdom and skills Angelou is absorbing from her experiences with Mrs. Flowers. When she sees the gifts given to Angelou from Mrs. Flowers, her mother tells her, "Sister, I know you acted like a little lady. That do my kernel good to see settled people take to you all. I'm attempt my best,
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