I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a 1969 autobiography describing the early years of American writer and poet Maya Angelou. The first in a seven-volume series, it is a coming-of-age story that illustrates how strength of character and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma. The book begins when three-year-old Maya and her older brother are sent to Stamps, Arkansas, to live with their grandmother and ends when Maya becomes a mother at the age of 16. In the course of Caged Bird, Maya transforms from a victim of racism with an inferiority complex into a self-possessed, dignified young woman capable of responding to prejudice.
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
Misattributed
Source: This is actually from Zora Neale Hurston, <i>Dust Tracks On the Road,</i> though it is widely attributed to Ms. Angelou's book, <i>I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.</i>
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Variant: It takes the human voice to infuse them with the shades of deeper meaning.
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
“When things were very bad his soul just crawled behind his heart and curled up and went to sleep”
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
“Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.”
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
We Had Him (2009)
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Context: Though we are many, each of us is achingly alone, piercingly alone.
Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him.
He came to us from the creator, trailing creativity in abundance.
Despite the anguish, his life was sheathed in mother love, family love, and survived and did more than that.
He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style. We had him whether we know who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his.
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
“The intensity with which young people live demands that they "blank out" as often as possible.”
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
“I had given up some youth for knowledge, but my gain was more valuable than the loss”
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
“The world had taken a deep breath and was having doubts about continuing to revolve.”
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), p. 212. ISBN 978-0-375-50789-2
“If you're for the right thing, you do it without thinking.”
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
“Women been gittin' pregnant ever since Eve ate that apple.”
Source: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
