I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
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
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].
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[4].
References
- ↑ I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Goodreads. Retrieved January 27 2021
- ↑ I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Book Cover. Goodreads. Retrieved January 27 2021
- ↑ [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/aug/18/maya-angelou-caged-bird-review I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou – review] TheGuardian. Retrieved January 27 2021
- ↑ Kristel Marie Pujanes. Book Review: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou TheBadBread. Retrieved January 27 2021