Transcript Cinderella’s Stepsisters” By Toni Morrison

Build Background: During the women’s rights movement in
the 1960s and 1970s, women passionately fought to gain the
same rights and opportunities as men had. The 1979
graduates of Barnard College Columbia University, an allwomen’s college in New York City, grew up during this era. In
this speech, which was delivered at the Barnard graduation
that year, Toni Morrison discusses the power these graduates
will soon wield.
Preview the Selection: In this speech, Toni Morrison has
some strong words of advice for college graduates who are
about to take their place in the world.
Read with a Purpose: Read this speech to explore Toni
Morrison’s beliefs about the abuse of power. We will determine
the author’s distinction between having the Power to do
something and having the Right to do it.
Vocabulary:
deflect (dih FLEHKT) v.: Turn aside. The stepsisters do not take
action to deflect their mother’s abuse of Cinderella.
expendable ehk SPEHN duh buhl) adj.: Not worth saving;
unnecessary. In pursuing our goals, we should not view other
people’s careers as expendable.
indispensable (ihn dih SPEHN suh buhl) adj.: Absolutely
necessary; essential. Powerful people have the authority to
decide what or who is indispensable.
sensibilities (sehn suh BIHL uh teez) n.: Ability to respond
emotionally. We should not let our ambition overwhelm our better
sensibilities.
diminish (duh MIHN ihsh) v.: To lessen; reduce. Our actions
should not diminish the success of our colleagues.
Vocabulary continued --flourish - v.: To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive. To prosper. To be
in a period of highest productivity.
wither - v.: To dry up or shrivel. To cause to shrivel or fade. To
render speechless or incapable of action; stun.
emanate – v.: To come or send forth, as from a source. To flow out
from. To emit.
abstraction – n.: The act of abstracting or the state of having been
abstracted. An abstract concept, idea, or term. An abstract quality.
Preoccupation; absent-mindedness.
dominion – n.: Control or the exercise of control; sovereignty.
Vocabulary continued --oppression - n.: The act of oppressing; The exercise of
authority or power in a cruel or unjust manner.
humiliate - v.: To lower the pride, dignity, or self-respect of. To
cause (a person) a painful loss of pride, self-respect, or dignity.
wield – v.: To handle with skill and ease. To exercise (authority
or influence, for example) effectively.
decency – n.: The state or quality of being decent; propriety.
Conformity to standards of modesty.
status quo - n.: The existing state of affairs situation, state of
affairs - the general state of things; the combination of
circumstances at a given time.
Talk About Quote: (See page 544)
“Since you will have the power to do it,
you may also be persuaded that you
have the right to do it.”
• Power
• Persuaded
• Right