I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

by Mildred R. Mickle (editor)

Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings took the world by storm when it was published in 1969. As it shot to the top of best-seller lists, it made Angelou one of the most recognized black women in America. Despite controversy over its frank depiction of sexual abuse, the autobiography is still widely read in high schools and colleges across the country. Three decades after it was published, readers continue to admire Angelou's artistry, wit, and indomitable spirit. Edited by Mildred R. Mickle, Assistant Professor of English at Penn State Greater Allegheny. Mickle's introduction pays tribute to Angelou's achievement and examines the inspiration she drew from Phillis Wheatley's civil rights advocacy as well as the similarities between Caged Bird and Harriet Jacobs's Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl and Paul Lawrence Dunbar's poetry. The Paris Review's Christopher Cox reminds readers of how revolutionary Angelou's autobiography was when it was published and recounts the comments Angelou made on her work in an interview with George Plimpton. Four original essays by Amy Sickels, Pamela Loos, Neil Heims, and Robert C. Evans provide valuable context for reader's new to Angelou's work. Sickels discusses the historical events that surround Angelou's the civil rights, black power, and black arts movements as well as the emergence of black women's literature with the first publications of Toni Morrison, Nikki Giovanni, Alice Walker, and Lucille Clifton. Loos provides a survey of the major pieces of criticism on Caged Bird, paying special attention to the book's early reception and how it fits in the autobiographical genre and slave narratives, as well as issues of race, gender, aesthetics, and identity. Neil Heims discusses the struggle for a black identity through readings of both Caged Bird and James Baldwin's If Beale Street Could Talk. Finally, Robert C. Evans examines the role that both formal and informal education play in the young Maya's maturation. The collection also includes ten previously published essays that examine Caged Bird through a variety of lenses. Critics examine the character of young Maya, noting how her rootlessness contributes to her perseverance and adaptability, as well as how Angelou's narrative technique allows her to recount the details of incredible life without being controlled by them. The book's treatment of sexual abuse is also investigated in the larger context of other black women's narratives of sexual abuse. Other critics attend to Caged Bird's place in the genre of ethnic autobiography and the particular challenges it presents to teachers seeking to expose students multicultural literature; the childhood roots of Angelou's political activism; the influence of blues music on the narrative's structure; and the young Maya's relationships with the black community, literature, and the women in her life. Each essay is 2,500-5,000 words in length, and all essays conclude with a list of "Works Cited," along with endnotes. Additional Chronology of Angelou's Life; Works by Maya Angelou; Bibliography; About the Editor; About The Paris Review; Contributors; Acknowledgments; and an Index.

Genres: Nonfiction, Poetry, Classics, Autobiography, Banned Books, Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Chrissy"Bee" Compton-Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my FAVS....The late,legendary, lovely and very intelligent Ms.Maya Angelou ,was and still an inspiration to me and my opening back up into the writing world...which I am so very passionate about WORDS, VOCABULARY and WRITING. Her prior life of hardship and childhood pain was so much linked to mine anc i am quite sure for other readers that is when I really began to write poetry and short stories just for myself....it was my escape, my connect within , it was my oxygen when i felt like giving up as a young teen back then.

In 1997, I found out where I could write Ms.Maya, and at the time she was able to recieve letters at the college in Washington where she was an instructor at the time as a Professor so, I proceeded to write her a letter and Lord , and behold she replied back.It was the most awesome,blessed gift ever to me to hear back from her ad she had told me that i was very gifted in my writing because I had written a few poems for her and I had also told her that I would like to become an Author one day and ignite the universe with my writing...but I felt that I couldnt at that time in my life. She encouraged me and said to NEVER LET YOUR DREAMS OF THE SOUL SLIP AWAY....INSTEAD FOLLOW THEM.....
and years later ...and currently...I am doing just that and I published my very , first book two months ago which is on the market and working on my next.

So, this is why the "Caged Bird Sings" to me...

[Di McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

`I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings' is the first part of Maya Angelou's six volume autobiography and looks at her life as a black child growing up in pre war America. She spends her time between the town of Stamps in the south and St Louis and California and is moved between her mother and grandmother for much of her childhood. Her grandmother gives her discipline, love, stoicism and devout belief in the lord and her mother gives her a belief in herself and a wild love of life. Maya has to deal with the various tribulations of growing up in a racist country during a time of cultural upheaval, as well as the terrible ordeal of being raped at the hands of one of her mothers boyfriends. She copes with all life throws at her with bravery and fortitude. This also focuses on the relationship she has with her brother, Bailey, and how they supported one another though the toughest times of their childhood. This book truly reads like a novel and Maya's style is beautiful and richly descriptive, so much so that at times you forget you are reading an autobiography. The world Maya paints for us can seem hostile and scary and yet you finish the book with a sense of hope and positivity. This is a profoundly moving book, that is exceptionally well written and is well worth a read at some point, even if you aren't a fan of biographies.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so looking forward to reading this, but it took me forever to get through it. I loved the story, but her writing style sometimes felt like run-on sentences.

[Yihsin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't read autobiography books so it may be just personal preference but the book was overall ok. It definitely portrayed the difficulty of growing up down south as a black woman during the mid 1900s. Life did not come easy for Maya. One thing I didn't like about the book was the lack of overalls picture. Each chapter she talked about significant life events starting from when she was a kid to older. But there's not a continuity that I picked up on. Unless it's not an autobiography style like in fiction. The way the book ended was also very bluntly. Didn't make sense to me. However, her words were very impactful and it will be one of those books that I'll still remember bits and pieces even after a long time.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first books I read by Maya Angelou. Hearing her voice, feeling her pains, and learning from her life-lessons changed my course in life. This book should be on every young woman’s bookshelf.

I believe it is important for young readers and adults to connect with life, see other’s experiences, and learn to dream of new possibilities. Buy a copy for a young women in your life. This is a book that will always be a classic.

[Alexander Xoxl · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and timeless book!

[Stacy Ainge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed how this brave girl grew and told her life story.

[Marchele Alber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was Amazing. I learned so much about Myah Angelou that I didn't know before. It was inspiring and uplifting.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing book. So important in this time.

[Mary DeSouza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in high school and I just didn’t understand. This hits different.

[Morgan Fleming · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scarring for a 14 year old girl to read in an English class :/ but apart from that very good!

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

probably more luke 3.5 but couldn't justify a 4, didnt love the pacing but i suppose it was her life lol

[Monte Guess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great book personally. The way Maya Angelou talks about her progression through life was awesome. While being not only black but also a woman, Maya overcame many obstacles. She made something of her life despite her unfortunate luck that she tells us about. The change from child to a mature adult was very interesting and I love getting her perspective on her experience. It was good to able to know exactly what she thought or how she reacted to each situation she faced.

[Olivia Talbot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touches on some life altering topics not recommended for youth under high school age. This is my first Maya book...she writes in a way that takes you to the times in which she grew up, a time that we should all learn about. This is a nice starter because you learn what she has been through and why she is who she is.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down. Found her writing very gripping. I thought this was a book of poetry. Didn't know it was her own biography. The cool thing is I'm reading, "The Help" next so it will be a perfect way to compare two different writers.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved her writing style! Gosh, it was breathtakingly beautiful!

[Charity Finnestad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved!

[Bryden McCurdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more stars I would.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great book! Really enjoyed every moment.

[Forest Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad but uplifting by the end.

[Mariya Latif · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
― Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. What an inspiring woman. love Maya Angelou

[Fadoua · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read!

[Mulemia Maina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book - very honest. I loved it!