I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is the autobiographical story of the pain that accompanies a young girl's loss of innocence. Feeling rejected by the totally segregated society of Arkansas in the 1930s and by her mother who deserts her at age three, Maya must also struggle with a troublesome body image and feelings of sexual inadequacy. She even blames herself for the death of the man who rapes her. Until she gives birth to a son, Guy, Maya feels that she has little or no control of her own destiny. Once she learns to accept Guy, and the events leading to her pregnancy, she begins to feel less like the 'caged bird' of the book's title, less imprisoned by her race and gender. She finds freedom in self-expression and begins to take control of her life.
Hoping to portray emotional reality, Angelou melds fact and fiction in her book. Angelou's account of a white dentist who refuses to treat her because she is black actually took place, but Angelou names him 'Dr. Lincoln' for symbolic emphasis. Dr. Lincoln represents the white establishment that unfairly discriminates on the basis of color, in effect mocking the emancipation statement issued by President Lincoln in 1863 proclaiming blacks free from bondage. This kind of literary technique, combined with Angelou's lyrical prose, results in a powerful and poignant story of growing up black in America.
Book Club Reviews
Victoria -
Julie -
Stacy -
Cristen -
Kasie -
Jennifer -
Melanie -
Gina -
Regina -
Discussion Questions:
1. What does Maya think about her grandmother's religious beliefs? Why is the church so important to Momma?
2. Why is the next door neighbor, Mr. McElroy, able to be independent?
3. What secrets does Maya share with her brother? How does her relationship with her brother develop as they both grow older?
4. How does Maya respond to the violence in her life and society?
5. After her rape, why does Maya refuse to talk to anyone but Bailey? Why will she talk to him?
6. Why does Maya fight the San Francisco street car authorities for a job?
7. What is Maya's reaction when she learns that she is pregnant?
8. Why does Maya dislike herself? How does she learn to recognize her positive qualities?
9. How are Momma and Vivian different? What does Maya learn from each of them?
Hoping to portray emotional reality, Angelou melds fact and fiction in her book. Angelou's account of a white dentist who refuses to treat her because she is black actually took place, but Angelou names him 'Dr. Lincoln' for symbolic emphasis. Dr. Lincoln represents the white establishment that unfairly discriminates on the basis of color, in effect mocking the emancipation statement issued by President Lincoln in 1863 proclaiming blacks free from bondage. This kind of literary technique, combined with Angelou's lyrical prose, results in a powerful and poignant story of growing up black in America.
Book Club Reviews
Victoria -
Julie -
Stacy -
Cristen -
Kasie -
Jennifer -
Melanie -
Gina -
Regina -
Discussion Questions:
1. What does Maya think about her grandmother's religious beliefs? Why is the church so important to Momma?
2. Why is the next door neighbor, Mr. McElroy, able to be independent?
3. What secrets does Maya share with her brother? How does her relationship with her brother develop as they both grow older?
4. How does Maya respond to the violence in her life and society?
5. After her rape, why does Maya refuse to talk to anyone but Bailey? Why will she talk to him?
6. Why does Maya fight the San Francisco street car authorities for a job?
7. What is Maya's reaction when she learns that she is pregnant?
8. Why does Maya dislike herself? How does she learn to recognize her positive qualities?
9. How are Momma and Vivian different? What does Maya learn from each of them?
