A 1996 Commencement Speech - Salman Rushdie: Summary of the Text and Analysis

A 1996 Commencement Speech - Salman Rushdie It is a speech given by Rushdie to graduate students at Bard College. Rushdie feels happy because all of the graduate students of Bard college are present and listing his speech instead of boycotting. Rushdie shares his own graduation day at Cambridge University. A few nights before his graduation day, someone hurled bucketful gravy of onions all over the walls and furniture in his room. He had not done it. But he had to pay for the damage before the ceremony if not he would not be permitted to graduate. It was his mistake to be responsible for the mess which he had not done. Next, he went to the ceremony wearing brown shoes. But he was instantly plucked out of the parade and made wear black shoes. He did what he was ordered to get graduation. And, at last, he had to kneel at vice-chancellors feet, hold up his hands, palm together and begin Latin for the degree. He had worked hard for three years. So, it was his right to get a degree. But he d…