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I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings By Maya Angelou

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I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings By Maya Angelou
Book Report Pt. 1 Mr.Welch—English
Name: Alex Montenegro Period: 1
Title: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Author: Maya Angelou
Setting: Stamps, Arkansas; St.Louis, Missouri; San Francisco, California
Protagonist: Maya Angelou Antagonist: Growing up; Being African American
Describe the relationship between the protagonist and Antagonist. Being an African American, Maya grew up around racial segregation and discouragements. For instance, growing up, Maya saw her Momma (grandmother) get humiliated by a group of white girls (23). Even though she wanted to do something to help her grandmother, she couldn’t, because she herself would more likely be humiliated …show more content…
Give a DETAILED story summary: (Please attach 1 additional page) Maya Angelou’s autobiographical novel, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” covers her life from childhood to almost motherhood. The story starts at a church, Marguerite Johnson, or Maya, being insulted and made fun of. Immediately afterwards, she and her brother, Bailey Johnson Jr., three- and four-years-old respectively, and sent on a train to Arkansas. They make it to Stamps, Arkansas safely, with papers all over them, now about to live with their grandmother, Annie Henderson (Momma) and uncle (Willie). They live in a store that caters to cotton and lumber workers. Momma is a strict lady and Uncle Willie, although crippled, isn't afraid to discipline them. Together, they teach the importance of education into Maya. He tests them each night after school and punishes wrong answers by burning them on a stove. On the bright side, Maya begins to fall in love with literature and crushes hard on Shakespeare, but feels guilty about it because he’s white. Simply put, life in Stamps isn’t as good as it can be. Racism is everywhere and you just can’t live a normal life. Maya watches as white people constantly disrespect her family. After a few years in Stamps,
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