Angelou Maya’s I know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969): from an Autobiography to an Exploration of Social Issues

Abstract

I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings is the first volume of Maya Angelou‟s autobiographies and the most successful one. It is a personal narration of her childhood traumatic events. The novel portrays the life of the black girl, who suffers from: displacement, poverty, racism and sexual abuse. This extended essay aims to shed light on the major social issues in the United States during the nineteen thirties. Besides, it shows how Maya Angelou used her autobiography as a weapon against sexual abuse, racism, and social rejection.