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

In the book I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou, there are several women who play very important roles in Marguerite Johnson’s life and development. Marguerite had three women in her life that educated and provided her with useful skills, information, security, religion and love. Momma, Mrs. Flowers, and Ma’ Dear are mother figures in Marguerite’s life who provide her with the necessities and strength to help her through life, Momma taught Marguerite about religion and cleanliness and was a good role model when it came to being strong and powerful, Mrs. Flowers introduced and provided Marguerite with literature and Ma’ Dear who is Marguerite biological mother wasn’t with her as she was growing but she still played a very important role in Marguerite’s life, she provided her with the love that is said only a mother can give their child. These three women were mother figures in Marguerite life that had very positive effects in Marguerite’s life. Momma taught Marguerite the importance of religion, cleanliness and she also taught Marguerite how to be independent and strong. Marguerite’s grandmother (Momma) has cared for her since she was three years old. Momma’s great faith in God and in her religion gave Marguerite reassurance of knowing that God will always be there for her showing her love when nobody else around her showed it to her (that is as long as she followed the commandments laid out in the bible). Marguerite says, “I asked her [momma] if she loved me and she brushed me off with: God is love. Just worry about whether you’re being a good girl, then He will love you” (57), Momma was telling Marguerite that she didn’t have to depend on other people’s love, that she didn’t need their love as long as she had Gods love. Momma taught Marguerite that she could make it in the world without needing other people to validate her or show her that she was somebody important, in a way making her independent. Momma also prayed on a daily basis thanking God