I know why a caged bird sings

Maya Johnson encountered many struggles in her life growing up in the South and that is what inspired her to write the book, I Know Why A Caged Bird Sings. Maya had many role models in her life like Momma, Bailey, and Mrs. Flowers. Maya’s grandmother, Annie Henderson, or otherwise referred to as Momma in the story was a role model because of her strict rules that she enforced. Bailey Johnson was Maya’s brother and friend that helped Maya through tough situations when she needed someone to talk to. Mrs. Bertha Flowers was a woman who lived in the Stamps and was often known as Maya’s idol. This leads into how Momma, Bailey, and Mrs. Bertha Flowers made lasting impressions on Maya and helped her become the strong Christian women she strived to be.
Maya’s grandmother was often referred to as Momma in the book because she raised Bailey and Maya from a very young age. Momma raised them according to strict Christian values, strict rules, and didn’t stand for any foolishness. One time Maya and Bailey were in church and they started laughing really hard and were not paying any attention to what the speaker was saying and momma got really mad and punished them when they get home. Momma enforced a strict routine in their house by making the kids always finish their homework, say their prayers before they go to bed, and attend church every Sunday; this strict routine helped them learn responsibility and gain respect for their parents. Maya was supposed to always obey the Lord and never sin or go against the Lord in any way; it taught her strong Christian values. One day she was coming back from Mrs. Bertha Flower’s house when she came into Momma’s store and said, “By the way, Bailey, Mrs. Flowers sent you some cookies”(Angelou 101). Momma got so mad and punished Maya because she thinks God is the way. Momma’s strict religious values made Maya into a strong, religious, honest, and respectful person and it showed Maya that life will be rough but God will be there for her