Marguerite says that she was liked and respected. Justify this statement.
Chapter - Mrs Flowers
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Why does Marguerite admire Mrs. Flowers in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?
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OLEN BRUCE eNotes educator | CERTIFIED EDUCATOR
Marguerite admires Mrs. Flowers for many reasons. Most importantly, Mrs. Flowers is able to throw Marguerite what the author refers to as "my life line." In addition, Marguerite admires the way that Mrs. Flowers looks and speaks. Mrs. Flowers has an aristocratic bearing that enables her to appear cool on the hottest day in Stamps. The author also describes Mrs. Flowers as "one of the few gentlewomen I have ever known" (page 94). Mrs. Flowers' aristocratic and refined bearing reminds Marguerite of characters she has read about in English novels, and Mrs. Flowers makes Marguerite proud to be black. She also teaches Marguerite about the value of the spoken language when Marguerite is mute in the aftermath of being raped. Mrs. Flowers encourages Marguerite to read aloud, and, by introducing Marguerite to the world of literature, Mrs. Flowers helps give Marguerite a sense of rebirth and a connection to a better world after the trauma she has experienced.