New Spelling of My Name

 The way in which Audre Lorde portrayed the teachers in her essay “From Zami: A New Spelling of My Name” was compare and contrast. Not in a straight up fashion mind you but in a way where the readers were caused to make their own mind up.

Lorde explained the differences between the teachers.

Mrs. Baker was the kind, polite librarian whom really taught Lorde to read. She didn’t do it in a condescending way, and caused Lorde to be excited about learning how to read, she allowed her to read things, which were exciting to her and made her mother proud.

Miss. Teacher who remained nameless was the complete opposite, she made Lorde and her mother uncomfortable so she was pulled from that school.

Sister Mary was Lordes teacher at her new school, she was similar to Miss. Teacher in some of her teaching methods. However in this school Lorde was able to progress and learn how to apply her reading skills to reading simple things.

Overall the essay compared and contrasted the teachers without necessarily comparing and contrasting. It was more of the writer discussing her experiences and leaving us to compare and contrast as the reader. All the learning experiences were different and effected Lorde in different ways.