In Maya Angelou's Essay `Graduation' the use of language as a navigational tool is very evident, as it leads from emotion to emotion on the occasion of the author's graduation from eighth grade. Over the course of the work, Angelou displays 3 major emotions simply based from the language she uses; excitement, disappointment and finally, redemption

The beginning of this work focuses on speaking of excitement and joy due to the upcoming eighth grade graduation, "The children in Stamps trembled visibly with anticipation" (835). The children were shaking with excitement due to the impending graduation services. The graduation is the most important thing happening in the town of Stamps, "We even made a sign for the Store....It read clearly "CLOSED GRADUATION" (837). They even closed the town store for the festivities.

The coming of graduation is shown as a proud day, and holds a sunny future for the narrator and...