I know why the caged bird sings By

I know why the caged bird sings By Maya Angelou

Black Discrimination Maya’s family sees blacks suffering throughout their lives. For example, when Maya tried to get a job, she was forced to take a longer route in applying because they thought she was unqualified.

No running in church-Introduction Marguerite Johnson, a young black girl, runs from church for being scared to speak in public. On her way out she pees her pants and knows she will be punished.

Growing up with Momma and Willie Momma, who is actually Bailey and Maya’s grandma, raises the children in Stamps, Arkansas. Her youngest son Willie, who is crippled, has a profound impact on his brother’s children as well. The entire family is devoted to church and the right thing.

Going to Stamps Ch- 1 When Marguerite is six and Bailey is seven, their parents send them to live with their grandma in Stamps, Arkansas. They take a train all the way their with their assigned transporter getting off at Arizona.

“Coming home from school one day, I saw a dark car in the front yard. I rushed to find a strange man and women drinking Dr Pepper in the cool store. I sensed wrongness around me, like an alarm clock that had gone off without being set. ”Ch-2

Powhitetrash Ch-5 One day at the Store, some white girls come up to Momma and taunt her. Momma just stands there and hums a hymn. While they are leaving, Momma treats them with respect and Maya is outraged. She can’t believe that she treats them that way. “ bye, Annie. ” “bye, Annie. ” “ Bye, Miz Helen. Bye, Miz Ruth. Bye, Miz Eloise. ” Ch-5

“ I said preach it. ” Ch- 6 and 18 After all the hardships, Blacks began to have retreats in tents set up around the country side. One particular retreat called for people to give Charity and never give up. When Maya was just incident occurred where outskirts of town came She was moved by the about the church beginning church, an a woman from the to church one day. power of God and ran screaming “I said preach it!”

To St. Louis Ch-10 Bailey Sr. stops in Stamps and picks up his children. He drops them off with their mother in St. Louis, where they live for a short time.

The Rape Ch- 11 and 12 When Maya is eight years old, her mother’s boyfriend rapes her. She is forever traumatized by this event and hides herself off in a world of books.

Mrs. flowers ch-15 Ch-15 Mrs. Flowers, a southern Black aristocrat, tells Ritie to read aloud to keep expressing herself.

Kay Francis Ch- 17 At a movie one day, Bailey sees Kay Francis acting and is convinced that she looks like his mother. His mom is black though and as he says “much more beautiful. ”

Joe Louis the boxer Ch-19 Joe Louis is named the heavy weight champion after fighting against a white opponent. Maya and the entire Black race is inspired by his heroic accomplishment.

Another picture of Maya Angelou

It’s Valentine’s Day Ch- 20 Maya met a girl named Louise at a picnic. Louise later becomes Maya’s best friend in which she confides everything. In school, she receives a Valentine from a boy and goes to Louise for advice. Louise tells her to pursue but Maya is so smitten that she just giggles around this boy.

Let’s play Momma and Papa-Ch. 21 Bailey plays momma and papa with girls from the neighborhood, while Maya plays baby and watches for adults!! After a while, he finds Joyce who really knows how to play his game.

The shadows aren’t so scary anymore-Ch. 22 Brother Taylor comes to visit Momma and tells a scary tale about his wife as a ghost. Maya is so frightened she was scared of the shadows but as she rejoins her family, she regains confidence.

I’m scared of my own shadow!! Ch-22

Maya Graduates! Ch-23 In Stamps, it was customary for a big celebration to occur when people graduate. At the graduation ceremony, Maya hears a repulsive speech by a white person, then hears an inspiring speech by one of her peers. She is proud to be who she is.

The Dentist Turns Maya Away Ch-24 After being surrounded by good candy all her life, Maya gets a cavity. Momma takes her to a white dentist who tells them, “I would rather stick my hand in a dogs mouth than in a nigger’s. ” Those words stuck with Maya throughout her life.

Bailey and Marguerite’s big move Ch- 25 and 26 After an incident in Stamps where Bailey sees a dead man pulled out of a river, Momma decides to move the children to California. Momma stays with Maya and Bailey for six months then goes back home.

World War II Begins Ch- 26 World War II is readily felt throughout the nation. Maya notices that the Japanese families in the community are disappearing and their business and roles being taken over by blacks. Japanese internment camp

Dancing Ch- 28 Bailey and Marguerite learn to dance and go to clubs. Marguerite’s partner is named Juan. She is known as the tall, skinny girl but is a whiz on the dance floor.

Maya and her Dad venture to Mexico Ch- 30 Maya’s dad was often taking trips to Mexico to get food ingredients. On one trip he decided to take Maya. After he got drunk and passed out, Maya decided she would drive them home again. She almost makes it but crashes into another car. Bailey Sr. takes care of it all in his suave way and they go home.

Living in the Junk Yard Ch- 32 After getting in a fight with Dolores, her dad’s girlfriend, Maya runs away and lives for a month in a junkyard. She earns her keep with odd jobs and entering dancing contests.

~Bailey moves out~ Ch- 33 After a fight with Mother, Bailey gets upset and moves to his own apartment. Maya is sad but knows he is a man.

Maya gets a job Ch- 34 After going the long way through applying for a job with the trolley company, Maya is finally hired to work for them. She works odd hours but is happy to know she is the first black woman to get this job.

“I decided I needed a man. ” Ch 35 and 36 When Maya was 15 she got confused about her sexuality. She decided she needed confirmation about her feelings so she asked a man if he would have sex with her. Three weeks later, she found she was pregnant, but hid it from her Mother. Nine months later, she had a baby boy and named him Guy.