Post #2: Reflection on Maya Angelou's excerpt from "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings"
Words: 297
In the first account
in "The Norton book of Women's Lives" by Rose Phyllis, she displays a
story from Maya Angelou, an actress, and singer who later became a writer. This
excerpt gives a brief insight into the character of Maya and how she perceives the
world, God, and other people.
Despite this being
written later in Maya’s life, this passage feels authentic, to the point it
sounds like it was written by her in the moment as she experienced it, rather
than an account of certain events in the past. The ways Maya conveys her
emotions and thoughts are illustrated in a fashion that turns her autobiography
into somewhat of a shared experience.
After Maya’s
grandmother was approached by a group of rude women who came to instigate and
cause trouble for her, she did not treat them with the same level of offense she
was given. Maya tried to rationalize it but was only able to come up with more
questions.
On page 45, Maya
writes, “She stood another whole song through and then opened the screen door
to look down on me crying in rage. She looked until I looked up. Her face was a
brown moon that shone on me” (45).
All in one moment
Maya takes her frustration and builds it up and makes it feel real only to have
it overshadowed by the peace of her grandmother. Even though it was not fully
explained how her mother calmed her, it felt more natural without an explanation.
The story then
continues to focus on her church life through the introduction of characters
like Reverend Thomas, Sister Monroe, and even her grandmother. Despite being
comedic at some times, all the events that transpire illustrate more of who she
is rather than distract from her.
Rose, Phyllis. The Norton
Book of Women's Lives. W.W. Norton, 1995.
This is a great overview of the excerpt we were given. I think that Momma strength in the face of hate and tribulation is a very pivotal moment in Maya's life, although she doesn't explain it fully (as you mentioned), which allows us as readers to interpret for ourselves why Momma stayed calm. One idea is that it was to show her unyielding strength and discipline as an example to Maya, but I believe it was something more than that. This calm in the chaos displayed by Momma might be true security in herself and her faith, which makes this scene so miraculous.
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