I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

It is not specified how Uncle Willie became disabled. The book only says that he was injured in a childhood accident.

The biggest outdoor event in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is the revival meeting held by Reverend Thomas during which Maya's mother, Vivian, is baptized. It is a significant event in the book because it marks a turning point in Maya's relationship with her mother.

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is not a poem, it is a biography of the author of "Caged Bird," Maya Angelou. In the poem, "Caged Bird," the speaker (or narrator) could be anybody, but is most likely Maya Angelou herself, or a colored person in the same situation as the caged bird.

The stranger who arrived unexpectedly in Stamps in Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" was Maya's father, Bailey Johnson Sr. He came to take Maya and her brother, Bailey Jr., to live with their mother in St. Louis.

Marguerite stopped speaking because she felt responsible for the assault of Mr. Freeman, who was arrested and killed shortly after. She believed that her voice had the power to cause harm to those she loved, so she decided to stay silent as a form of protection.

The tone of "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is reflective and introspective, conveying themes of resilience, empowerment, and the enduring spirit of hope in the face of oppression and adversity. Maya Angelou's poignant words evoke a sense of both sorrow and strength, inviting readers to contemplate the injustices faced by marginalized communities while also celebrating the power of the human spirit to rise above adversity.

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou was published in 1969.

No, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is not fiction. It is non-fiction.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is currently still under copyright. Under current US copyright law, the 1969 book is a protected work. If Ms. Angelou were to die today, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings would not enter the public domain until midnight the end of the calendar year, 70 years past the death of the author.

This advice means to be firm in challenging and addressing ignorance, which is the lack of knowledge or information. However, it also suggests being compassionate and patient towards those who may not have had the opportunity to learn or access education, defining illiteracy. It emphasizes the importance of confronting ignorance while also acknowledging and supporting individuals who may not have had the same opportunities.

A free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream

till the current ends

and dips his wing

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn

and he names the sky his own

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

The main character of "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is Maya Angelou herself, as the story is autobiographical. The novel also features her family members, including her brother Bailey, her grandmother, and her mother, among others, who play significant roles in her life story.

Yes, there are idioms in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." One example is the title itself, which is an idiom that represents the feeling of being trapped or limited. Maya Angelou also uses idiomatic expressions in her writing, reflecting the language and culture of the time in which the story is set.

Vivian Baxter Johnson, or 'Mother Dear', is Maya and Bailey's mother.

In "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," the white folks are disrespectful to Momma because of racism and prejudice. They look down on her and treat her unfairly because of her race, showing the pervasive impact of discrimination in the segregated South during that time. This mistreatment serves to highlight the challenges faced by African Americans in a deeply divided society.

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou has been banned in some schools and libraries due to its discussion of themes like racism, sexuality, and rape, which some people find inappropriate for younger readers. Additionally, the book has been challenged for its language and graphic content.

In "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," many black children had to travel alone across the US due to the discriminatory practices of segregation in the South, which often prevented families from traveling together on public transportation. Additionally, economic challenges forced some families to send children to live with relatives in other cities or states in search of better opportunities.

My shoulder was shaken gently. Mother whispered,

"Maya, wake up. But don't move."

I knew immediately that the awakening had to do

with the baby. I tensed. "I'm awake."

She turned the light on and said, "Look at the baby."

My fears were so powerful I couldn't move to look at

the center of the bed. She said again, "Look at the baby." I

didn't hear sadness in her voice, and that helped me to

break the bonds of terror. The baby was no longer in the

center of the bed. At first i thought he had moved. But

after closer investigation I found that I was lying on my

stomach with my arm bent at a right angle. Under the

tent of the blanket, which was poled by my elbow and fore-

arm, the baby slept touching my side.

Mother whispered, "See, you don't have to think

about doing the right thing. If you're for the right thing,

then you do it without even thinking."

She turned out the light and I patted my son's body

lightly and went back to sleep.

page 289 (THE END)

Laurie Halse Anderson includes Maya Angelou in her novel "Speak" to draw a parallel between the experiences of the protagonist, Melinda, and Maya Angelou's autobiographical work "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" where Angelou also deals with themes of trauma and silence around sexual assault. By referencing Maya Angelou, Anderson highlights the importance of finding one's voice and speaking up about difficult experiences.

The guiding force in Momma's life in the book "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is her unwavering faith and devotion to her family, her community, and her values. Momma's strength, resilience, and integrity serve as a constant source of inspiration and guidance for the people around her, including the author, Maya Angelou.

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is set in various locations, primarily in Stamps, Arkansas, and St. Louis, Missouri during the early to mid-20th century. The book explores the challenges and triumphs of African American life during this time period through the eyes of its author, Maya Angelou.

In chapter 19, the bout between Joe Louis and Carnera is described.