I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was firstly published in 1969. The book was written by Maya Angelou, with a foreword given by Oprah Winfrey. The book is explaining how Maya went through her childhood life as a black American kid in Arkansas and San Fransisco[1].

Plot

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Book Cover[2]

Marguerite and her brother, Bailey, at the age of 4 and 3 years old are sent parentless from California to Stamps, Arkansas as their parents have a divorce. Marguerite and Bailey live with their grandmother and uncle, Momma and Uncle Willie, who is a general merchandise store owner. Marguerite and Bailer are given with care, love, and encouragement in Stamps. Still, they face hardship and prejudice in the store and on the streets. These have become reality for them that being black Americans are not safe. They are sent to live with their mother in San Fransisco. While living with her mother, Marguerite (who Bailey called Maya) struggles with rape and violence by Mr. Freeman, her mother's lover. Freeman is eventually sentenced to a year in prison yet, he is killed in the prison. This has caused Maya to be mute as she is afraid of what she speaks can cause death. After several years, Angelou decides to speak and use her voice as an expression of love through books and poems. As she is graduated, she is faced with hatred and inequalities that remain exist in a big city such as San Fransisco[3].

Black Empowerment

The book describes how the civil rights movement occurred throughout Maya's childhood. For instance, Maya explains that the power of Joe Louis, a black American who became a world boxing champion, had made an impact on black Americans that hope does exist for them to have a better life and equality. Maya's relatives also show how they kept their dignity despite the racism they experience. Like Maya's grandmother who would not justify her emotion despite mockery and prejudice she faced. Even Bailey buys ornate clothes showing that black Americans can also be stylish and masculine. Another black empowerment description is when Maya explains how her mother sets certain networks to discourage bigotry and racism. Not only that, Maya even says she took part in resistance where she became the first black streetcar conductor in San Fransisco and before that, she even defied her white boss for being discriminatory at work[4].

Controversy

Maya reveals how discrimination and racism cause difficulties and deaths to many black Americans. Like black laborers are obtaining little money despite the struggle and long time job in cotton ranch. The KKK would come to the city and harasses the black Americans for joy. Black Americans do not access to healthcare as doctors and nurses do not want to treat 'colored' patients. Bailey also sees a white folk is laughing at the black American's body and even says that any black Americans would even end up being lynched or beaten to death. Eventually, Maya cries as she sees her beloved grandmother is ridiculed and insulted by a group of young white women who are shopping at the black merchandise store[5].

References

  1. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Goodreads. Retrieved January 27 2021
  2. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Book Cover. Goodreads. Retrieved January 27 2021
  3. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou – review TheGuardian. Retrieved January 27 2021
  4. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings SparkNotes. Retrieved January 27 2021
  5. Kristel Marie Pujanes. Book Review: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou TheBadBread. Retrieved January 27 2021