We All Know Why The Caged Bird Sings - 954 Words

We All Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Maya Angelou was a civil rights activist, author, and poet. She wrote many books and poems that conveyed the vivid experiences in her life. Maya Angelou’s works are well known and she is an eminent writer. One poem in particular that is well known is â€Å"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,† written in 1969. In this work she described racial inequality, and the lack of freedom African Americans experienced in the 1930’s and 40’s. Maya Angelou uses many Rhetorical strategies and literary devices to describe the lack of racial freedom in the world at this time. Maya Angelou is a leader by example, she sets the standard by her actions and the stories she tells teaches the audience a lesson. Majority of her work is to inform us of the past and she wants us to learn from her experiences in life; she is a life teacher. The purpose of this poem was to inform us of the history of our country. The poem is titled â€Å"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings† and her purpose of writing this is to teach the reader why the caged bird sings. Maya Angelou wants to put the reader in her shoes to get the ultimate experience of racial inequality but instead by taking the role of a caged bird or a free bird. The audience of this poem are the people who want to learn about how America was during segregation. Teachers have taught us what they have been told to teach. However, Angelou has lived through this time and has experienced segregation. She is a credibleShow MoreRelatedComparative Essay-to Kill a Mockingbird and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings1065 Words   |  5 PagesTriginhall Mrs. Teacher Honors English 10 18 November 2012 Response to Literature â€Å"The free bird thinks of another breeze†¦.a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The two literary works â€Å"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings† by Maya Angelou and Harper Lee’s â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† can be seen as mockingbirds that have flown over fields of prejudice and repeat what they have seen for all to hear. Jem Finch, a young boy and lawyer’s son from â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† clearly symbolizes a mockingbirdRead MoreThe Handmaids Tale By Margaret Atwood1375 Words   |  6 PagesThe Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood Introduction The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood and I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou are both very well-known texts. They explore the characters horrible situations, retell the experiences through a variety of literary features which all link back to my main theme of freedom to, and freedom from. The Handmaids Tale is set in a not so distant future dystopia, the totalitarian Republic of Gilead. It is centred around Offred, a handmaid givenRead MoreRacism in Maya Angelous I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Essay1643 Words   |  7 PagesRacism in Maya Angelous I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Maya Angelou, the current poet laureate of the United States, has become for many people an exemplary role model. She read an original poem at the inauguration of President Clinton; she has also appeared on the television show Touched by an Angel, and there read another poem of her own composition; she lectures widely, inspiring young people to aim high in life. Yet this is an unlikely beginning for a woman who, by the age of thirtyRead More Maya Angelou as a Caged Bird Essay1153 Words   |  5 PagesMaya Angelou as a Caged Bird    The graduation scene from I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings illustrates how, living in the midst of racism and unequal access to opportunity, Maya Angelou was able to surmount the obstacles that stood in her way of intellectual develop and find higher ground.   One of the largest factors responsible for Angelous academic success was her dedication to and capacity for hard work, My work alone has awarded me a top place...No absences, no tardinesses, and my academicRead MoreMaya Angelou1001 Words   |  5 Pagesdiscriminated for their public appearances. As a victim of personal rejection and institutional racism, Maya writes in an assertive, confident tone with a repetitive style on behalf of African-American discrimination as seen through her poems I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Phenomenal Woman, and Still I Rise. Maya Angelou is known for being a poet impacted by personal experiences leading to the development of her writings. Angelous primary influence on her poems comes directly from her own lifeRead MoreHumans Need to Belong738 Words   |  3 Pagesthe core of the human condition. A significant individual can nurture or prevent a sense of belonging in individuals, groups or communities and is a prevalent concept in the autobiographies ‘Romulus, My Father’ by Raimond Gaita and ‘I know why the caged bird sings’ by Maya Angelou, a story about growing up African American in 1930s. These texts explore how a mentoring figure, an individual’s insecurities and how confidence and self-esteem in a community can instil or prohibit a sense of belongingRead MoreAn Interpretation of Paul Laurence Dunbars Poem Sympathy and We Wear the Mask1228 Words   |  5 Pagesinterpret Sympathy and We Wear the Mask. Both Sympathy and We Wear the Mask were written by Paul Laurence Dunbar. To begin with, the poem Sympathy suggests to the reader a comparison between the lifestyle of the caged bird, and the African American. Paul Laurence Dunbars center of attention of Sympathy is how the African American identifies and relates to the frustrations and pain that a caged bird experiences. Dunbar begins the poem by stating I know what the caged bird feels, alas!(AfricanRead More ?An Interpretation of Paul Laurence Dunbar?s Poem Sympathy and We Wear the Mask?1194 Words   |  5 PagesSympathy and We Wear the Mask. Both Sympathy and We Wear the Mask were written by Paul Laurence Dunbar. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;To begin with, the poem Sympathy suggests to the reader a comparison between the lifestyle of the caged bird, and the African American. Paul Laurence Dunbar’s center of attention of Sympathy is how the African American identifies and relates to the frustrations and pain that a caged bird experiences. Dunbar begins the poem by stating â€Å"I know what the caged bird feels, alasRead MoreMaya Angelou Essay1019 Words   |  5 PagesAmericans and also acts as a spokesperson for black pride and heritage (St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture). Although she speaks for people of color, her messages of hope and strength appeal to people of all ages and races. Angelou is best known for her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, in which she recalls herself as a young African American girl finding self-confidence in a highly prejudice world.   Maya Angelou’s work should still be taught in schools today because of her focus on civilRead Mo reComparison Between Modern Day Music And Langston Hughes And Paul Laurence Dunbar1478 Words   |  6 PagesLangston Hughes, are two of the very few who would talk about these controversies. Their poetry consisted of slavery, racial relations and inequality, opportunity, and hope. Their poetry captures the despair and faith in the colored people through all their oppression. Modern day music genre and style of hip hop or rap is a style created by African Americans. Present day rap artists, J Cole and Kendrick Lamar, are two rap artists who have revolutionized music and have become idolized by many African