I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Maya Angelou Analysis

How many times in a day do you think there is conflict? There is no doubt that we can’t go one day without having some sort of problem. The memoir of Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings it focuses on how our troubles, makes us stronger as the result of going through them. There are many important characters in Maya’s life, but the three most important characters in Maya’s life are Mr. Freeman, Bailey, and Mrs. Flowers.

The First and most important character Mr. Freeman, is the antagonist in this novel, and her mother’s boyfriend. When Maya was younger she moved to St.Louis where her mother lived. However, Maya’s life was never same after Mr. Freeman robbed her of childhood. Maya, only being at the young age of eight, was taken advantage of and threatened if she told

Bailey only a year older than her too faced similar challenges Maya faced. Being an African American in the early 1930’s you got no respect. Identified by racial slurs was the norm, and running for life either by your masters or the KKK was not an easy or fair way of life. “ If growing up is painful for the Southern Black girl, being aware of her displacement is the rust on the razor that threatens the throat. It is an unnecessary insult.” (Angelou pg.4) Maya trusted Bailey , in fact so much he was the first to know that she was raped. Moving from place to place Bailey and Maya depend on each other in order to not be lost and be present in their lives. “Unlike Maya, Bailey is graceful, attractive, outgoing, and charming, and many consider him the jewel of his family. Bailey uses his skills and status to protect Maya. With his charms, he defends her against criticism and insults. Bailey and Maya share not just in tragedies but also in private jokes and a love of language and poetry.” Certainly Bailey proves beyond, that he not only a great brother but also an astounding