Osceola Archer reads Chapter 64, “The Bald Childhood of Miss MacIntosh”, of Miss MacIntosh, My Darling by Marguerite Young. Archer (1890-1983) was a stage and film actress part of the Harlem Renaissance. She was a pioneer of the American Negro Theatre, and conducted a highly successful career throughout her whole life. Archer performed in plays for over 50 years, including: Between Two Worlds (1934), The Cat Screams (1942), Debut (1956), and The Crucible (1984).

In this chapter, Miss MacIntosh learns to find beauty within her self. Having never had any hair or eyelashes, she perpetually viewed herself as an outcast, unable to conform to the traditional standards of beauty. Ultimately, she embraces her baldness and welcomes the opportunity to find love. She realizes that these attributes have been unique to her “since the beginning”.

 © copyright Charles Ruas 2023