I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou

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Book Reviews of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Book Review: My review of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Summary: 5 Stars

Title: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Author: Maya Angelou
Genre: Non-Fiction - Autobiographical
Length: 290 pages

By: Muriel Muex

Course: Intro to Sociology
Professor: Steve Zegel

September 19, 2003

I chose I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Ms. Maya Angelou for my book review because of its universal appeal. Even the title of the book grabs your attention; it makes you want to ask the question, why does the caged bird sing? It speaks not only to black people in general and black women specifically, but to everyone. No matter your race or gender, anyone can relate to the story of Ms. Angelou's life and experiences as they unfold. Ms. Angelou has a flair for utilizing colorful imagery and symbolism to convey her life experiences. She tells her story so vividly, she makes you feel as if you are experiencing every excruciating moment right along with her. Despite all the trials and tribulations, her story offers insight and wisdom and inspires hope for every reader.

Ms. Angelou wrote this book in the mid 60's while living in New York City. It is a chronological rendition of her life starting in the 1930's when she was a child living in the small southern town of Stamps, Arkansas. It is written during a time when black men and women, including all western women, were trying to develop a sense of identity (Scott, Oreen - A Women too Young to be Old, Book Review). There are many themes prevalent in Ms. Angelou's book. It is rife with prejudices of black versus white, male versus female, ugly versus beautiful, rich versus poor; all of which focus on Henslins' conflict theorists (Henslin, 2003). Her grandmother's store is the center of Maya's childhood and the gathering place for blacks in the town. It symbolizes her anchor in life and how she defines who she is. When Maya dons her Easter dress, she envisions a transformation taking place revealing her true self, or how she wishes herself to be, blue-eyed blond and beautiful rather than black ugly and nappy headed. This ties into Henslin's symbolic interactionism (Henslin 2003).

It is a story of a young black girl dealing with abandonment by her parents and growing up amidst racism, segregation, lynchings, beatings and more. It is a story of child molestation and surviving in a hostile world with the strength of family ties and religion to sustain you. It is a story of persevering to obtain goals being held from you just because of the color of your skin and gender. It is a story that is both beautifully and inspiringly told. Ms. Angelou confronts her own life with such moving wonder and dignity (Baldwin, 1969), that you, the reader, are also inspired.

Ms. Angelou's autobiography relates to many sociological perspectives where people's social experiences underlie their behavior (Henslin, 2003). It touches on social structure and how it establishes limits on our behavior, shaping our perceptions and attitudes (Henslin, 2003). This is evidenced by Grandmother Henderson mutely standing in front of her store while four little white girls act shamefully. One of them does a handstand to show she's not wearing any underwear while the others taunt and tease her knowing she can't berate them for their bad behavior. Maya gets angry realizing this is the reality of things and that black people in Stamps have to be very respectful of all white people no matter what they do or how they behave if they want to survive.

This is a genre I normally don't read, but after reading this book I was compelled to read the remaining books in her autobiographical series. I thoroughly enjoyed every one of them and would recommend them without hesitation. I know why the caged bird sings, do you?

References

Baldwin, James, Book Review, (1969) Review comments on I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Henslin, James M., Essentials of Sociology A Down-to-Earth Approach, (5th edition),
Pgs. 2-3, 12, 15, and 83-84

Scott, Oreen - A Women too Young to be Old - Book Review (September 20, 2003),
http://www.oreenscott.com/maya_angelou.htm.

Summary of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Authors Books

• Books > Subjects > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature
• Ethnic & National > African-American & Black
• Specific Groups > Women
• Literature & Fiction > United States > Poetry
• Social Sciences