Positive Effects from Mother Figures on Marguerite Johnson in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Mama understands the past and the significance of a family heritage. Her heritage including her memories of her mother and grandma making quilts together by hands.

She is an important character that is viewed as a significant figure. Mama’s behavior through the plays shows that women could play the role of being a man. She conducts the house to her satisfaction. When Beneatha says, “There simply is no blasted God—there is only man and it is he who makes miracles!” (51). Mama reacts by slapping her across the face to show her that this is her house and that she is in control. Not only did Mama control her family’s actions in her house, but she also controlled any guests’ actions in her household. Mama was the controller of the house and the whole neighborhood knew about it. Mrs. Johnson even reminded herself of Mama’s control by saying to Mama, “Oh I always forgets you don’t know ‘low that word in your house” (101). Mama illuminates her status of being woman with not only her control but also her attitude and her dreams.

Jeannette talks about how her parents at times were ignorant at how they were parenting. For example, Jeannette states countless situations in the book where she felt excluded or neglected. There was a situation in the book where she was cooking or preparing herself hotdogs and she got her dress on fire. The flames grew on her rapidly and the injuries became severe; soon after that her mother and father expressed to her that they were little to no concerned about their daughter. In the book it states, “Mom, in an unnaturally calm voice, explained what had happened and asked if we could please have a ride to the hospital. The woman dropped her clothespins and laundry right there in the dirt and, without saying anything, ran for her car” (9-10). This just shows the mother wasn’t the least bit scared for her daughter’s life, she didn’t even panic or react the way a mother should. With that being said, we can even notice that the neighbor was more affected by the situation than that of the mother. This is the earliest stories Jeannette can recall, which is mentioned in her book, and all the stories and memories after that only go to show the neglectful lifestyle she had to endure. It is really a sad reality of this woman’s life. However, Jeannette Walls is now a successful author, and journalist in New York, is one of the few people in this world that has made a successful life from a horrible and neglectful

In the novel The Bean Trees and the autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Barbara Kingsolver and Maya Angelou write their female characters to reject the traditional roles assigned to their gender when they show a more masculine character. With the support of strong mother-like figures, both Taylor and Maya, the protagonists, learn to avoid falling into the stereotype threat. Growing up, Maya’s grandmother Momma, was an exceptional model of a woman combating gender roles, as she owns property and is accountable for the family's financial and household needs. Likewise, Mattie, Taylor’s good friend, is also a strong independent woman who owns a business and cares for the refugees she shelters. Taylor and Maya both help support their

In the two novels, The Bean Trees and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, authors Barbara Kingsolver and Maya Angelou use both of their stories to challenge the stereotypes that society has put in place about the idea of femininity and the gender roles of men and women. In The Bean Trees, protagonist Taylor Greer unexpectedly becomes a mother when she cares for a Native American child given to her on the side of a road, however, she does not behave like society’s version of a maternal figure in that she takes on roles that would be likely belong to a man. On the other hand, in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou writes an autobiography and she portrays her own older brother, Bailey, as a more feminine character, although he is expected to have manly qualities as an African American male. Because of the high standards and stereotypes that our society has

Without significant, strong people in the world, the earth would be no longer here. People would not survive and the world would be in chaos. Because of this, the people who do good for the world are treasured and kept close. In the biography Harriet Tubman: Guide to Freedom by Ann Petry and the autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, two extraordinary women are revealed in the text. While Harriet is a former slave with little experience in the real world but with a heart filled with bravery, Mrs. Flowers is petite and full of willpower to strive to success.

In the autobiography “I know why the caged bird sings” by Maya Angelou, Marguerite sees Mrs. Flowers as the measure of what a human being can be. Marguerite lives with her grandmother, and looks up to a member of her neighborhood, Mrs. Flowers. The shame Marguerite has when her grandmother speaks to Mrs. Flowers is astronomical. One day when Marguerite luckily gets to go to the home of Mrs. Flowers, she is given books to read and remember and to Marguerite it proved she liked her. The measure of a human being is different for everyone and it will reflect on their actions.

She collectively remembered, “Money was very tight, and as I grew up, it initially consumed the lives of my parents.” It wasn’t long before her father made a decision to leave the family where he’d be far from any financial worries. When she put this into words, she brought her hands up to her eyes, shaking. Pools of thin, salty, perspiration were undeniably forming in the crevices of her eyes. I had only seen my mom cry once before and although she didn’t cry that night, it was evident that she was holding back a stream. Remembering that I was watching, she recollected herself by taking in a breath of the stale air. In Charisse's perspective, “trying to block out,” the fact she had just lost her a father figure, was causing her to “become abnormal.” The sudden change was definitely a struggle for Charisse and her fifteen siblings, all striving to comfort their mom and underpin the family’s needs. However, out from these burdensome times, she developed into a remarkable woman, obtaining the maturity and the attentive care of an

Momma portrays a very crucial role in the book I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Momma is a strong and independent woman whose goal in life is to raise Maya and Bailey to be the best people that they can possibly be. Momma is an inspiration to many who have interacted with her. Momma is the person that Marguerite wants to be, and many others as well. Momma states two morals, or “commandments”, on page 27, “‘Thou shall not be dirty’ and ‘Thou shall not be impudent’.

When she finally does take action by screaming to the fugitives in the hut telling them their leader is in danger, they have already escaped. This seems to imply that Marguerite can take action in the woman’s world of balls and moonlit strolls but not in a man’s world of chases and escapes. Marguerite often blames Fate for her decisions, even claiming to be “morally innocent” for the murder of a whole aristocratic family she denounced. When she faces the either-or from Chauvelin and decides to spy on the Scarlet Pimpernel, she claims, “Fate had decided, had made her speak, had made her do a vile and abominable thing, for the sake of the brother she loved.” Marguerite is the one who chooses her brother over the Scarlet Pimpernel, but blames Fate rather than herself. By not taking charge of her own life, Marguerite is a pathetic, fragile woman.

Marguerite was educated at George Washington High School and California Labor School. Mrs. Angelou is best known for her memoir “I know why the cage bird sings”. Maya had a difficult childhood, her parents split up and she and her brother Bailey Johnson, was sent to live with their father’s mother. Mrs. Annie Henderson (paternal grandma) instills Christian values in Maya. While visiting her mother, she was raped by her mother’s boyfriend, and her uncle Willie killed him.

For every child being raised in the foster care system, nearly twenty five children are being cared for by grandparents, who supply their basic needs. Maya Angelou and Bailey Johnson are included in that group, because from a young age Momma, their grandmother, took care When it comes to making difficult decisions Momma always seem to make the right ones, including the choice to send her grandchildren to San Francisco. In I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings , an autobiography by Maya Angelou writes that “In San Francisco, for the first time, perceived myself as part of something” (179). In this quote Maya Angelou describes her overall feelings on the topic of San Francisco and how it changed her life for the better. As a result of Momma choosing the correct path for Angelou and Bailey, they gained freedom, escaped a racist environment in Stamps, Arkansas, and were guaranteed a little bit more protection in San Francisco.

In Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use,” Mama is the narrator of the story. Mama has two daughters, Dee and Maggie, who sometimes threatens and burdens her. Mama is brutally honest and sometimes critical when it comes to Dee and Maggie. Mama’s inner dialogue gives us a glimpse of how far a mother’s unconditional love is willing to go. Mama is a gentle and stern individual who has an unconditional love for her children.

My first impression of mama is that she is disappointed in her family. An example of this is when she is telling ruth that she doesn't feed travis well enough. Another example is when Beneatha is saying stuff about

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings is a novel by Maya Angelou, where she writes about her childhood and her experiences while growing up. This non-fiction novel illustrates Maya Angelou’s childhood, being tossed around by her parents, and having to experience different cultures. Maya struggles particularly in finding friends, she is reserved, and will only open up to Bailey, her brother. Maya moves a couple of times to different places, which may contribute to her not having friends. The novel revolves around Maya Angelou, Bailey, and her grandmother, evolving through life from being a child to a teenager. This novel is set in the “South”, in America.