I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

This book entails the life of young Maya Angelou in the midst of the southern segregation of the
1930s and 40s. It begins in Stamps Arkansas as Maya and her brother are put in full custody of
their grandmother after their parents divorce. Despite the racial discrimination of the South, they
experienced the proud African American culture and deep religious roots instilled on them by
their grandmother. At age thirteen, Maya moved to St. Louis to live with her estranged mother. It
was here that she was mollested and raped by her mothers boyfriend. In fear, Maya told her
brother Bailey, whom she was very close to. Weeks later, the rape victim was found beaten to
death, most likely by her supportive uncles. Believing that her words had caused the death of her
rapist, she stopped speaking for five years. In those five years she moved back to Arkansas. She
allowed herself to speak again through the recitation of poetry, encouraged by a close neighboor.
After Maya finished the eighth grade, she and her brother were sent to California where her
mother now lived and worked as a professional gambler. Here, she grew interest in acting, music
and dancing. It was in this time that Maya had intentional sex with the neighbor across the street
and found out she was pregnant. Terrified, her mother assured her support and a good future.