There are works of literature, and especially memoirs, that are so influential and so affecting that a straightforward review will never do them justice. The memoirs of Maya Angelou, and in particular her first volume, are such books. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which details the early life of one of the most remarkable people in the fight for civil rights, is a triumph, able to connect with all readers on a deep, emotional level. With Angelou’s passing earlier in 2014, it seems like an especially poignant time to explore her story.
It is impossible to discuss the story of Angelou’s early life, or I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, without touching upon the devastating account of her rape by her mother’s boyfriend. Only a child, the horrifying facts of the abuse are enough to turn stomachs. It is even more effective reading in Angelou’s narrative voice, recounting the incident from a child’s perspective, looking on the rape as if it was her own fault even though at the time of writing she knew otherwise. This is one of the many reasons why I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is such an important book. Angelou managed to express the guilt and shame that many rape victims feel so beautifully and so delicately, and this is evidence of the strength that made her such an influential figure in years to come.
The other element of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings that is difficult to ignore is the openly racist attitudes in the American deep south. Growing up in a time where the Jim Crow laws and the Supreme Court justified and upheld legal segregation, the experience of being a young black girl is not a happy one. She looks upon the whites in her town of Stamps as superior and separate, her achievements at school will never afford her the opportunities that the white girls have. And yet, the joy of her early years is still celebrated. Her friendship with her brother Bailey and the success of her grandmother’s store speak volumes about how emotionally rich her life was, even while society and abuse held her down.
Later this week, we will be exploring Maya Angelou’s more overarching influence as a voice for African-American women. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings only charts the beginning of her incredible journey, but it is a book that will speak to generations to come.