Research Paper On Maya Angelou

Breaking Free: Maya Angelou’s Journey to Overcoming Adversity. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” is an autobiography novel by Maya Angelou that tells the story of her childhood and adolescence in the American South during the 1930s and the 1940s. The book explores themes of racism, identity, family, and self-discovery, and it follows Angelou's journey from a young girl who was traumatized by sexual abuse and racism to a confident and self-assured young woman who finds her voice through writing and literature.* The background information gave a good sense of what the book is about. Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings influenced writers and the Black Feminist Movement because of how she handled the controversial topics of racism, trauma,

Maya’s mom started dating this man that Maya called Mr. Freeman. Mr. Freeman raped Angelou at the age of eight, Maya became mute and never wanted to converse with others. Maya Angelou’s childhood was marked by a traumatic incident of sexual assault. This experience had a profound and lasting impact on her life, and she became mute for several years afterward, believing that her voice had caused the assault. Angelou later wrote about this experience, which helped to break the silence around sexual violence and inspired many survivors to speak out about their own experiences. Angelou’s writing also explored the themes of resilience, healing, and empowerment, and she became a powerful voice for social justice and

Freeman. “Maya meets Miss Bertha Flowers, an acquaintance of Angelou's mother. Miss Bertha Flowers tempts Maya to read literature out loud and for Maya to memorize and recite poetry as well. While doing this she regains all self-esteem back and can connect with people again.” (Ball 7) As Angelou got older she taught through her writing, poetry, and public speaking, Angelou used her voice to inspire and empower others, especially women and people of color. She encouraged people to find their voices and to use them to stand up against injustice and oppression. Angelou believed that everyone had a story to tell and that it was important to share those stories to create a more just and compassionate world. Her legacy continues to inspire people around the world to speak the truth and to use their voices for positive