Tolog Review: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou
reviewed by Jinan Al-Marayati

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is an invigorating novel and takes place in the 1940s. The author wrote this story with the exact events that occurred in her own life. Maya Angelou began her life in the little town of St. Louis, Missouri with an older brother and two happily married parents. Little did she know that by the age of three, her parents would be divorced and she and her brother would be shipped off to live with their grandmother. Maya Angelou does an excellent job of reliving her story through beautiful words and intriguing events. Overall, Angelou explains her transformation from awkward, uncomfortable, and shy to outspoken, intelligent, and confident through this entertaining novel. 

The story begins with Maya as a child reciting a poem in front of the entire church. All of a sudden, she completely forgets the rest of the poem and is standing silent in front of a crowd of many people. As any other child would do, she ran back home filled with a mixture of emotions: peeing, laughing, and crying. She also had to get through a child tripping her and many malicious children laughing and making fun of her. This particular chapter and scene foreshadows much of the book. It shows that through her childhood and teenage years, she has always felt unwanted and uneasy. Eventually, she becomes mute because of a traumatic experience and does not speak for a very long period. Finally, she finds her voice through an independent high-class black woman. Not only does she look at this woman as a positive figure, she continuously visits her and starts to read aloud multiple poems and books. Maya goes through many interesting, complex, and terribly tough times throughout her life, but eventually she overcomes almost every obstacle she is faced with.

Throughout the novel Maya incorporates eye-opening stories that were extremely racist and sexist. It thoroughly goes through the discrimination against black people and women. Not only does the book exemplify acceptance, but it shows how strong one person can be with support from the community of diversity. She shows that all races have been through at least one difficult time, therefore if all work together and support each other there might be a millisecond of peace. She explains the hardships that she faced, but always with the community or family beside her.

I heard of the book through my mother. She had first suggested that I read it during the summer, but I did not feel that I would be up for the boring read, or so I thought. I finally decided to take the chance and read the novel, to find out that it was quite interesting and thought provoking. I enjoyed reading about Maya’s experiences and how she overcame her problems. In a way, the novel gave me confidence and determination; that eventually all ends well.

The novel goes through depressing times, happy times, and overbearing obstacles. This book is great for readers that enjoy a strong lead female character. Additionally, the book goes through the mind of Maya, giving the reader her entire aspect. This story pulls readers in from the beginning, always curious what would occur next in the life of Maya Angelou. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a great story for any one with the desire to read.