Maya Angelou’s infamous autobiography, I know Why the Caged Bird Sings pulls the reader into the racial prejudices of the ‘30s and ‘40s while poetically conveying the setting and struggles of her childhood and later adolescence. Maya Angelou provides a peek into a first hand account of what the ‘30s and ‘40s was like. From my perspective as a black girl, this book was nothing short of excellent. As a young girl I found myself lost in the societal expectations of the black female. Maya Angelou expertly expresses many of the struggles black women and men face when often we can not successfully express them ourselves. Furthermore, she doesn't downplay the difficulties of our teenage years as many adults tend to do, which is a reassurance a lot of us need. There may be some triggers that will present themselves before they fully appear. I advise that you watch out for them, but will not provide spoilers. As the back of this novel reads, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings will touch many hearts and change minds for as long as people read."
My favorite Quotes -
"The fact that the adult American Negro Female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste, and even belligerence. It is seldom accepted as an inevitable outcome of the struggle won by survivors and deserves respect if not enthusiastic acceptance."
"The command to grow up at once was more bearable than the faceless horror of wavering purpose, which was youth."
I think over the years as I hit different stages and milestones in my life, my favorite quotes will change. But as of right now, in this stage of my life, these quotes stick out tremendously.
Happy Reading!!
コメント