How Maya Angelou gives personal account of her life and how she dealt with abandonment and loneliness, discrimination, and rape in I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.

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Elena SmuklerEnglish 9H1

May, 2001 I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

In the early-19th century African-American were forced to deal with the Depression, poverty, and primarily discrimination; many had to endure tremendous hardships throughout their lives and constantly hoped to survive the pains of discrimination. In spite of the many tragedies that befell unto them caused by such prejudices, black men and women learned to display a strong sense of self-worth and pride. Maya Angelou was one of these people who learned to defeat such adversity. Although faced with abandonment, bigotry, sexual abuse, poverty, and loneliness, her strong determination and pride help her to overcome such hardships. Furthermore, throughout her childhood, Maya learned to become independent and establish her identity as a black, unattractive girl living in the South. Despite such misfortunes, Maya was successful academically, collectively and in all endeavors in which she strived to accomplish. Maya, who was faced with strict discipline and numerous hardships, did not always confront her obstructions with responsibility and consideration.

Like many, she rose up against her obstacles with strength yet she frequently did the opposite of what she was taught. In the book, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings we are given Maya Angelou's personal account of her life and how she dealt with abandonment and loneliness, discrimination, and rape.

With much strength, Maya slowly emerged from her childhood of silence and loneliness to become an independent and proud black woman. At the age of three, she and her brother Bailey had been sent to live with their paternal grandmother, whom they called Momma, in the southern town of Stamps, Arkansas. Momma, with strict discipline and little affection, taught Maya to live with dignity and respect. Despite the care they received from Momma in Stamps, Maya and Bailey always...