Caged Bird Sings

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Your autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was a New York Times bestseller for two years in a row. Did you ever anticipate the success of this book?
When I set out to write I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, I wanted to make it as honest and raw as possible. I never expected it to become quite this popular, but at the same time I knew that I wanted to create an intimate connection with the reader. I think the reason why it was so successful was because people wanted to read something that they could relate to in one way or another. It also in a way empowered other writers, especially those that were female, to put themselves out there, and not to shy away from voicing their opinion. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings touched on important issues such as racism, rape, …show more content…
Oh definitely! You’re put in a place where it’s okay for someone to kick and brutalise your spirit, and abuse your body. I believe that women embody strength, commitment, courage and ambition. If a woman gives herself to the needs of men, then she isn’t respecting herself, or womankind.
You’ve also directed, written a screenplay, acted, sung, danced, as well as written poetry. Which medium do you find that you best express yourself and your ideas?
I’ve always been a writer, so it would have to be poetry. I find it interesting to venture out onto new turf, but writing allows me to escape. I feel at home when I write, and that’s a very difficult feeling to replicate. Writing allows me to convey my ideas and beliefs in a passionate, thoughtful and elegant way.
Do you believe that you have made a difference in terms of the way we view gender?
I’d certainly like to hope so! (laughs). I’ve always poured my heart and soul into my work, and believe that gender should not confine your potential as a human being. I like to spark conversation, and if I’ve achieved that, then I’ve fulfilled my purpose.
Have you faced any challenges in your

Caged Bird Sings

and whites have existed since ancient times. The title “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” are the words expressed from Maya Angelou which is written in a way that she exemplifies the true metaphor of what inequality and prejudice is perceived from her generation. The expression of hardship will all be from viewpoints of: Henry Reed, the Communities and the Minorities living in the United States. The definition of a “caged bird” is a free flying animal that had the right to roam in nature and is now…

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Caged Bird Sings

personal progression. Based on first appearances, this personal manifesto of triumph contained within a book is overlooked on a shelf of many other personal feats of courage and dedicated precision. Maya Angelou’s autobiography, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings is a standing testament of endearment amid society’s faults and attributes in a self revivalistic understanding of identity. A few years ago, I would of laughed at Angelou’s optimistic ideals of the human condition as people are selfish…

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Caged Bird Sings

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings CRR: Question Three Maya Angelo’s self-hatred developed from her misguided perception of beauty shaped by her personal admiration of her mother and brother’s physical appearance. Comparing herself to her mother and brother led her to unfortunately dismiss her own beauty as “ugly.” In the text, Maya describes her older brother, Bailey, as “small, graceful, and smooth,” while she negatively shames herself as being “big elbowy and grating.” Furthermore, she noted that…

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Caged Bird Sings

In the auto-biography I know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, Marguerite is raised in the 20th century with predominant racial and gender inequalities . Marguerite has seen and heard hatred towards her race with hate groups such as the Ku klux klan in Stamps, Arkansas. As Marguerite matures, she experiences racist backlash because of her race and gender and is forced to cope with effects. In comparison to Marguerite, the theme of race and gender is still relevant till this day. Growing…

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Caged Bird Sings Thesis

In the novel I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, the author reflects on her own experiences as an African American female throughout her adult life in the 1930’s and 40’s. Maya Angelou was born on April 4th, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri and had one brother, Bailey Johnson Jr. She was the younger sibling but was still the one who always took care of her older brother. At the age of four or five Angelou and her brother traveled regularly back and forth between her mother, Vivian Baxter…

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Caged Bird Sings Influences

In the autobiography, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou, the major figures and events that helped make Maya the wonderful, courteous, and intriguing person that she was. The three most important events or people that she encountered during her childhood that helped shape her, were her grandmother, Momma, her neighboring, adult friend, Mrs. Flowers, and her stay at the Junkyard. The biggest influence that Maya had growing up was Momma, her beautiful, and loving grandmother. Momma is…

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Caged Bird Sings Figurative Language

Maya Angelou wrote I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings in 1969. In her book, she uses a several rhetorical devices to help us better understand her perspective on how poorly black peoples lived and were treated during this time. One theme in this book is race, the reader gains more knowledge on the subject of living life as a black young woman. Maya also applies imagery in her book to give the reader context and to bring them in while reading the story. Another strategy this author uses is symbolism…

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I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Most people are kind they don't think much about it, but even a simple act of kindness can impact someone's life greatly. One example is how Mrs.Flowers inspired Maya by being polite and giving her some advice in the short story “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings’’. She was just trying to be polite…

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I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Essay

“Every 98 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. And every 8 minutes, that victim is a child. Meanwhile, only 6 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison” (Statistics). My adversity connects with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings because in the book she is sexually abused by her mom’s boyfriend and I was sexually abused by my grandfather. In the book it says, “I was hurt and for a time felt lonelier than ever. But then I forgot about him, and even the memory of his holding me precious…

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Bailey In 'I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings'

because he is in almost every chapter and also because the bond that connects maya with Bailey is so strong and also because Bailey would do anything for his sister and that is something you can't forget about him in the book,’I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings’. Bailey is small, graceful, smooth and he has velvet-black skin with curly hair. Bailey is a responsible kid, he finishes all his chores in time and he still has time to read to himself and also to his sister he did his homework also when…

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