"Graduation, the hush-hush magic time of frills and gifts and congratulations and diplomas, was finished for me before my name was called. The accomplishment was nothing." This reflects how the author's feelings about traditional academic success were disillusioned, seeing the ceremony as superficial and insignificant compared to the realities of her life.

"Donleavy had exposed us. We were maids and farmers, handymen and washerwomen, and anything higher that we aspired to was farcical and presumptuous." Angelou emphasizes the social and racial barriers that limited her and her peers, revealing how their true lives were far from the lofty aspirations often associated with education, exposing the harsh social truths behind the glitzy facade.