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   rshaffer Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   Maya Angelou's autobiographical book ends with the birth of her son because it reinforces the main theme of the novel, the maturation of the main character Marguerite.  By keeping the pregnancy a secret, Marguerite is able to graduate from high school, something she would not be able to do if her pregnancy is known.  All through the book, Marguerite is faced with hardships and insecurities that she tries to overcome.  It is finally through the birth of her son that she realizes how far she has come. She expresses her feelings for this accomplishment by saying:

   “No one had bought him for me. No one had helped me endure the sickly gray months. I had had help in the child’s conception, but no one could deny that I had had an immaculate pregnancy.”

   With the help of her mother, she finally learns that she can care for and love her baby.

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   Posted by rshaffer on Monday April 13, 2009 at 6:49 PM