Caged Bird Sings Censorship

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, an autobiographical novel written by Maya Angelou, was published in the year 1969. The novel follows Maya as a young girl facing challenges such as racism and sexism following the civil rights movement. While reading the book, the reader is introduced to events in history such as the Great Depression and World War II.

The inequality of women is also vital in the novel written by Maya Angelou, “I know why the caged bird sings” a powerful and truly moving autobiography “written at the end of the civil right struggles in the 1960’s” (8). The reception of the novel was incredible, it is the most highly acclaimed of her autobiographies, making Angelou “one of the most renowned black women in America” (9). Maya Angelou describes her “caged life as a black girl growing up in the south” (10), her lost youth, the dangers of innocence and need for emotional and physical affection, “I had given up some youth for knowledge, but my gain was more valuable than the loss” (5). In the 1920’s and 1940’s, America was separated by discrimination and prejudice not only between

We ban books because we feel that they are unfitting or dangerous for society. “To Kill a Mockingbird” was banned simply because it says “nigger” more than just a few times. This I just don’t understand there are many other things that are much more dangerous than this book that should probably be banned. The word “nigger” along with several other words that are offensive, degrading, and downright disrespectful are in our music, on our phones, social media, and on television every day; so, if we are using this logic shouldn’t all of that be banned to? I mean seriously if this is your reason for banning this book then we have a lot of things that should be banned.

Maya Angelou was a civil rights activist, author, and poet. She wrote many books and poems that conveyed the vivid experiences in her life. Maya Angelou’s works are well known and she is an eminent writer. One poem in particular that is well known is “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” written in 1969. In this work she described racial inequality, and the lack of freedom African Americans experienced in the 1930’s and 40’s. Maya Angelou uses many Rhetorical strategies and literary devices to describe the lack of racial freedom in the world at this time.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings was first published in 1969 during a time when autobiographies of women because heavily significant by their exclamation of the significance of women. As a result, Angelou's piece gathered attention from various types of women who could relate to Angelou's journey of sexuality, colour, and the coloured

The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the novel I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Specifically it will discuss the themes of racism and segregation, and how these strong themes are woven throughout this moving autobiography. Maya Angelou recounts the story of her early life, including the racism and segregation she experiences throughout her formative years. With wit, sincerity, and remarkable talent, Angelou portrays racism as a product of ignorance and prejudice. However, she finds the strength to rise above this crippling condition.

but she found an outlet. Maya chose to use her depression stage as a point to gain wisdom in her daily life. In the book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” Maya was sexually harassed by her mother’s boyfriend, Mr. Freeman, and she was forced to stay quiet about the incident or her brother would be killed. She even became silent for

In “Champion of the planet,” AN excerpt from her life story, i do know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou presents U.S.A. with the portrait of a rural African-American community within the Forties, those that the world riveted to the broadcast of the heavyweight world championship match. The contenders ar a white competition and therefore the black champion, the good Joseph Louis Barrow. On the surface it's simply a sporting event, however at a lower place the surface their fate as nation looks to ride on whether or not the champion loses or another time prevails.

Some books have a few that are “society's most taboo subjects: race and rape,”(Try to Ban Books) this shouldn’t be something that is in school regardless if in a book. School is a place where kids learn about life skills, not read books that have rape and racism present in them. In a few case parents have been “trying to prevent kids from reading about racism in World War II - era” (Try to Ban Books), this give the parents right to ban books that were made during or are about one of the most impacting wars in the world just because it contains something they don’t agree with. This is what parents have the right to decide what their kids read in school but don’t hinder the other kids because they don’t want theirs to read these

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings is a novel by Maya Angelou, where she writes about her childhood and her experiences while growing up. This non-fiction novel illustrates Maya Angelou’s childhood, being tossed around by her parents, and having to experience different cultures. Maya struggles particularly in finding friends, she is reserved, and will only open up to Bailey, her brother. Maya moves a couple of times to different places, which may contribute to her not having friends. The novel revolves around Maya Angelou, Bailey, and her grandmother, evolving through life from being a child to a teenager. This novel is set in the “South”, in America.

1. The author's position on banning of books is it is very disappointing to know that these other authors have had their books banned and now Maya Angelou is experiencing the same thing with having I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings banned. It is always unfortunate to hear a book has been banned (for whatever the reason) since people, especially students, will not have the opportunity to read about the important lessons and morals that book has to offer. ADD MORE 2. Maya Angelou's suggest the censors are fearful of these controversial topics that are being discussed in these pieces of literature in her poem.

The characters in the novel I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings were affected by both society and family. In the south at the time, African-Americans were defined as housemaids/servants, unintelligent, and barbaric. Maya Angelou stepped outside of the negative stereotype by using her intelligence and persevering through tough times. While Maya lacked the physical appearance of the rest of her family, she excelled at school and in her studies. During the novel, Maya realized that she did not need to conform to society’s ideals to be successful. Bailey Johnson Jr. faced pressure from society to be a supportive brother even though he really wanted to be more like his masculine father.

school and college students. For instance, in the article “The Ironic, Enduring Legacy of Banning ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ for Racist Language” Avi Selk mentions the schools and the school boards who recently attempted to ban “To Kill A Mockingbird” and most of them are middle and elementary schools. The book was perceived as offensive because of the language within it’s pages. The schools and parents failed to receive “To Kill A Mockingbird”’s message and instead focused on only part of what was said instead of why. Selk said “It was not images of race, but of sex, that caused the first big uproar. The school board of Hanover County, Va., banned the book as “immoral literature” in 1966 because the plot centered on rape.” If that’s the case, why allow middle schoolers and elementary kids read the book? This is why “Mockingbird” should be reserved for high school and college students. The book is centered on a loaded plot and does indeed use some explicit language but that doesn’t mean that that qualifies the book to be banned. There’s quotes directly from the book that demonstrate just why Harper Lee used the language she did and it reads like this, “What exactly is a n—– lover?” Scout asks her father. “It’s hard to explain.” “Ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody’s favoring Negroes over and above themselves,” he tells Scout. “It’s slipped into usage with some people like ourselves, when they want a common, ugly term to label somebody.” (To Kill A Mockingbird, Lee) The text directly from the book is a perfect example to show that the use of the “N-word” wasn’t used to promote the word but to shame it and the use of it back in 1960, in Alabama, in which the book was set upon. Allow the students who can fully understand and not take offense to “To Kill A

Rather than censoring the n-word, there should be an emphasis on the usage and history of the n-word (Smiley). The novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn could potentially be used as a vehicle for discussions regarding race . Twain intentionally uses the n-word to galvanize the reader and rouse feelings of shock and offense (Smiley). He wants readers to discuss the horror of the word and the damage it can cause (Matthews). However, by removing the word, one is completely avoiding this discussion and loses out on this message. Students today must understand the racism, slavery, and violence towards blacks throughout American history. This will help students, the future of America, to recognize the injustices of the past and hold them responsible for making changes in the future

Her work includes the story of her life, from her childhood to the birth of her own child ("Maya Angelou”). I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, though has indicated debate, is taught in some classrooms but banned in others (Cox). The most uncomfortable part of her autobiography is the rape that she describes; considering the novel was written from a child’s point of view, the graphic rape scene is considered more controversial (Cox). Angelou’s openness about rape broke silence and became a turning point in women’s autobiographies (Sickles). Before Angelou wrote I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, rape victims were encouraged to stay silent. Now rape victims are understood, welcomed, and encouraged to speak (Sickels). Her autobiography seemed to be written so “people who had been raped might forgive themselves” (Sickles.)