Character Analysis Of 'I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings'

Courtney Estep
11/22/17
CP Eng 10
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”

Protagonist The protagonist of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, is Marguerite Johnson (aka the author, Maya Angelou). She writes about her life story and the things she has been through as a black woman. She, as a black woman, faces many difficulties in her life. She talks about her difficulties with her biological parents, racial acts, segregation, rape and other complications. Marguerite also talks about what it was like growing up with her brother and grandmother. She’s haunted by her appearance and what other say about her, causing her to isolate herself. She finds joy in literature, Shakespeare being her favorite.

Antagonist There are many antagonist of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, and one of them is Mr. Freeman. Mr. Freeman is Vivian’s (Marguerite’s mother) boyfriend.

A common theme in this book is that family is the most important thing you could have, but Marguerite feels better in the junkyard than she does with her family. After the fight with Dolores, Marguerite runs away and sleeps in a junkyard. The next morning, she wakes up to see a group of 14-15 year old kids watching her. They accept her into their group, even though she doesn't stay with them, she feels the most accepted with them.

Climax The climax for “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, is Marguerite ends up getting pregnant. While she's going through body changed, Marguerite starts to think she is lesbian. She tries to fix it by having sex with a man. She doesn't tell anybody for six months. She tells her mother and Daddy Clidell (her mother's new boyfriend), they tell comfort her and buy her maternity clothes. Marguerite has a baby boy, but doesn't want to see him in fear that she will hurt him. Her mother finally convinced her sleep with the baby in her bed.