The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind,

and floats downstream

till the current ends,

and dips his wings

in the orange sun rays,

and dares to claim the sky.

The caged bird, on the other hand, sings

with a fearfull trill

of the things unknown,

but longed for still.

His tune is heard

on the distant hill for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

But a caged bird stands on the

grave of dreams,

his shadow shouts on a

nightmare scream,

his wings are clipped and his

feet are tied.

So, he opens his throat

to sing.

The poem "Caged Bird" by Maya Angelou beautifully contrasts the lives of a free bird and a caged bird. The free bird enjoys the freedom to soar through the sky, ride the wind, and explore the world. It is unafraid to claim the vastness above. In contrast, the caged bird is confined, its wings clipped and feet tied. Yet, despite its captivity, it sings a song of longing and hope for freedom. The caged bird's song is a powerful expression of its inner spirit that refuses to be silenced. It stands on the grave of its dreams, but still finds the courage to open its throat and sing, a song that can be heard even on the distant hill. This poem makes us reflect on the importance of freedom and the human spirit's ability to endure and strive for liberation even in the face of adversity.

I had to read this in school in the 10th grade as a 15-year-old.

I don't remember any parents throwing any fits about their kids having to read this book, but maybe it happened and I just didn't hear about it or was so wrapped up in my own internal dramas that I didn't recognize it happening around me. I remember reading this. I vaguely remember our classroom discussions.

As an adult, I really don't fully understand when parents throw fits about what their children read in school. I would want my children to be informed. There's some truly bad shit that happens in life. If your kid has made it through unscathed, then congratulations. But their classmates may not be so lucky. Every time someone says a book should not be discussed in a classroom because of the explicit sexual nature (in this case molestation and rape of a young girl), what you are telling your child is that it's okay to ignore the bad things in life. That it's okay to ignore your classmate who may be struggling with abuse in their home.

What this teaches those who have been or are currently being abused is that their stories are not worth hearing, that they should keep quiet, that what they were involved in is icky (which it is, but it is not their fault that this happened or is happening to them), and that it's just better for everyone if we all just stay hush-hush.

A year or two before I read this book, a girl in one of my classes was suddenly in the local news. She was a quiet girl already, very studious, not very outgoing. The news told us that her father had been molesting her and her sisters for years. Now in the classroom everyone was looking at her but no one was talking about it and she just had to carry on like everything was fine, as she had been doing all along, because it makes people uncomfortable when they are confronted with the truth.

This is not okay. Maybe if victims of sexual assault and rape weren't made to feel demonized for what happened to them, they would find it easier to come forward and say "Hey, this is happening to me, I don't like it, please help me." But instead, we throw fits about what our kids are reading in school, which makes anyone suffering from anything think that they also should keep quiet because look how much a fit people are tossing about a book about a woman's true experiences when she was a girl.

It's a sick fucking world out there, and we need to talk about it. I don't give too many fucks about how uncomfortable it makes you. Talk to your children. Help them process what they are learning. That is, after all, what school is for. For all of its other faults, education means more than learning how to do basic arithmetic.

What I was surprised to find upon re-reading this now is that the writing overall is a lot less lyrical than I seem to recall. The chapters are short, including the one involving the author's rape, and she writes about it (and most of her experiences in this book) very clinically, very choppily almost. This is understandable and not uncommon for anyone who has experienced trauma. It's difficult to talk about it, even as an adult, and I believe part of that again goes back to how much of a taboo it still is and it's just beaten over our heads that we shouldn't talk about such personal matters or "air our dirty laundry" or however you want to put it.

The other thing people get all up-in-arms about with this book besides what happened to her as a young child is the racism. Yes, that's right - Maya Angelou, a black woman, experienced racism through her entire life. You know how I know that? Because she was a black woman. She dealt with racism and sexism because that's how our world treats people of color who are not straight, white men. And, again, people are uncomfortable when they read about American history and realize that white people treated Maya Angelou so poorly, because then we have to stop and think about how we have treated people, and maybe we've been complicit in some nasty behavior too, even born years after Angelou was.

We like to pretend like racism and sexism don't exist anymore, that Maya Angelou's book is about an unfortunate time in history that few of us were alive for, so therefore it's not really our fault, not really, and those topics make people uncomfortable too. So again, now we're telling our students in schools that it's not okay to talk about rape and sexual assault and telling them that we should pretend like racism and sexism don't exist.

Tell me what exactly you want your children to learn in school then.

This short, powerful, and beautifully written memoir vividly showcases just how remarkable Maya Angelou was. Given the numerous hardships she endured and yet still managed to achieve so much, it's truly awe-inspiring.

As a young girl, Maya Angelou witnessed the disrespect and cruelty that White children showed towards the adult women in her family. These strong and inspiring women were held captive by white racism. Then, at the tender age of 8, she was raped by her mother's boyfriend and threatened with dire consequences if she spoke out. The court process that followed only added to her trauma, with a lawyer even mocking her. She blamed herself for the assault and feared eternal damnation.

Just a few years later, at 15, she was cut open by her father's girlfriend and forced to live in a junkyard with homeless children. Despite all these horrors, Maya Angelou not only endured but also became one of the most amazing poets and writers. Her ability to come through such hardships with heart, love, wisdom, and empathy is truly remarkable.

Some other quotes from Maya Angelou that are worth remembering include: "See, you don't have to think about doing the right thing. If you're for the right thing, then you do it without thinking." and "Excitement is a drug, and people whose lives are filled with violence are always wondering where the next 'fix' is coming from."

I read it and just don't understand at all: how, having experienced such things in life, can one speak so cheerfully, brightly, lightly and inspiringly?

Perhaps Irena Veisaitė was right when she said that evil breeds evil, but we can simply want to create good? And the most terrible thing that can befall a person is unemployment.

Maya Angelou - an American poet, a human rights activist, awarded by two US presidents for her life's achievements. Abused and raped from the age of three, emotionally scarred and still able to find love and kindness in the behavior of adults, the stepdaughter of a mother who had eight children, who lived to be 16...

Knowing all her life that a black girl growing up has to face not only all the ordinary forces of nature, but also three enemies at once: the hostility of men, the irrational unemployment of whites and the powerless position of blacks. And if a grown black woman in America dares to show a strong character, she often receives amazing, of surprise and even hostility. Usually no one even understands how many battles she has to endure in order to break through, and that just for that she deserves at least respect, if not enthusiastic support.

An amazing book. A-ma-zing.

I am truly in awe of Maya Angelou. Her writing is nothing short of brilliant. This memoir of her youth is a literary masterpiece that often reads like the most beautiful poetry.

Her words have the power to transport us to a different time and place, allowing us to experience her life and emotions as if they were our own.

The quotes she includes in the memoir are not only profound but also serve as a testament to her wisdom and understanding of the human condition.

For example, when she says, "It may be enough, however, to have it said that we survive in exact relationship to the dedication of our poets (include preachers, musicians and blues singers)," she is highlighting the importance of art and creativity in our lives.

And when she writes, "I was a loose kite in a gentle wind floating with only my will for an anchor," we can vividly picture her as a young girl, trying to find her place in the world.

Finally, her words, "But the need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind," speak to the universal desire for growth and transformation.

I highly recommend this memoir to anyone who loves great literature and wants to gain a deeper understanding of the human experience.

Wow, it's truly incredible.

Maya Angelou, I hold a profound respect for you and your remarkable writing.

The fact that you were able to recount such a deeply tragic childhood with such beauty and profoundness is admiration in its truest form.

Your words have the power to touch the hearts and souls of readers, taking them on a journey through your experiences.

Despite the hardships you endured, you emerged as a strong and inspiring voice.

Your writing serves as a reminder that even in the face of great adversity, one can find the strength to overcome and create something truly remarkable.

Maya Angelou, your work will continue to be cherished and studied for generations to come.

You are an inspiration to us all.

I deeply regret not reading this sooner.

The first of Angelou’s seven autobiographic volumes, it delves into her tumultuous formative years.

Marguerite (Maya) experiences the harsh realities of racism and sexual abuse, but she discovers strength within the pages of books and, ultimately, within herself.

She shows remarkable perseverance, defying boundaries and limitations.

Hearing this story in her own voice was truly breathtaking.

The moments when she sang sent literal chills down my spine.

It is a powerful and moving account that offers a profound insight into the human spirit and the ability to overcome adversity.

Angelou's words are like a guiding light, inspiring us to find our own strength and courage in the face of life's challenges.

Her story is a testament to the power of literature and the importance of sharing our experiences with others.

It is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and a deeper understanding of the human condition.

For me, it's a highlight of the year.

Maya Angelou's first part of her autobiography was extremely good.

The author had to experience many different things at a young age.

I like her writing style. One can feel the energy, passion, and joy of life from this text. Although she had already experienced very traumatic things at a very early age, she is not a victim. She fights, tries to stay positive, and takes her fate into her own hands.

For example, at the age of 15, she becomes the first black streetcar conductor in San Francisco.

Some of her early life stages left me extremely speechless. Some in a positive and some in a negative sense.

At the age of 3, Maya, whose real name is Marguerite, and her 1-year-younger brother Bailey are sent to their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas... Alone with a note on which the destination of the journey is written... Just that is unimaginable for me.

I caught myself feeling extremely sorry for her at first. But also angry.

However, over time, one discovers Marguerite's fighting spirit along with her. One accompanies her as she develops strength and self-confidence. That's really a lot of fun.

Despite everything, of course, the anger about the injustice, the racial segregation, the structures that life in America in the 1930s brought for people of color remains. Speechlessness spreads, and it's very interesting to read that all people have much more in common than what divides them. That generally, the unknown always arouses skepticism in people. We should free ourselves from clichés and prejudices and see the person himself. Regardless of skin color or religion.

In addition, it excited me that Angelou already had an encounter as a child that could inspire her for poetry, literature, and theater. That was her anchor of salvation, her escape possibility from real problems in difficult times.

All in all, it's an absolute reading recommendation, and I would like to quote the blurb from the Chicago Sun-Times from the book:

"As gentle as a mist and as powerful as a sunrise."

For me, it hits the nail on the head 100%. Simply beautiful. ❤️

I made an attempt.

I am fully aware that Maya Angelou is an American icon. There is no denying that her experiences were truly harrowing, her personality was fierce, and her contributions to our culture and civilization were of inestimable value.

However, I simply did not have a liking for her book. There were indeed flashes of brilliance within it - beautiful prose that bordered on poetry, with vivid descriptions of the human experience.

But when considering the book as a whole, it held no real meaning for me. It seemed to be just a collection of memories, with seemingly no lessons being imparted.

I did not find it to be vulgar or overly graphic. Although I would not want my children to read it without proper supervision and context, I also did not find it to be moving.

Instead, I felt that it was more of a lesson in bad parenting rather than a symbol of Ms. Angelou's strength. The most interesting aspects of her life were left out, and the abrupt ending of the book did nothing to enhance the rest of the story.

The only good thing about it was that it managed to lift me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to briefly experience life in the deep south with all the prejudices of that era. But this moment was far too brief, and in the end, I came away with no real feelings for either the book or the author herself.

I first heard of Maya Angelou while watching The Oprah Winfrey Show from here in Canada during my youth. Oprah clearly held her in high regard, and that was sufficient for me. Since then, I have delved into some of Angelou's poetry and recently watched Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, the first feature documentary on her life, which aired on PBS’s American Masters television series. That documentary provided me with a全新的 appreciation of Angelou and a much better understanding of the breadth of her work, achievements, activism, and influence.

I'm glad I opted to listen to the audiobook to hear the (now late) Maya Angelou read this, her first book. Besides the fact that she had such a wonderful and distinct voice, I felt as if I was by Angelou's side from start to finish, in every location, from the American South to San Francisco, and I could envision everyone she described. From the disrespect shown to her shopkeeper grandmother that she witnessed, to her own sexual abuse, to driving a car in Mexico with her drunken father asleep, to her job interview to work on San Francisco streetcars, to finally lying in bed with her baby son, I listened in horror, relief, and wonder. The wonder was often for both the language and writing as well as the situation. There were so many quotable sentiments.

My only disappointment was that the book cover illustration accompanying the e-audiobook I listened to stated that there was a foreword by Oprah Winfrey. It was not included in this version, if indeed it is in any audio version of the book. However, I read the short foreword elsewhere, and I cannot bring myself to hold the omission against I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings. It is a classic because it rightfully deserves to be so.

The caged bird sings with a soft melody

about things it doesn't know.. but it awaits them

And now.. it is heard in the short fences

That the caged bird

sings about freedom..

Maya Angelou's memoir is a remarkable piece of work. It is a blend of sweetness, warmth, humor, and at times, tragedy.

The author is incredibly brave in being so open, revealing the intimate and cruel stories that shaped her dysfunctional and tragic childhood. What makes this memoir truly special is the way she presents these events with warmth and simplicity. It allows the reader to feel compassion and empathy, without evoking a sense of pity.

She writes her story with unwavering truth and a matter-of-fact style. It never gives the impression that she is seeking the reader's sympathy or understanding. Instead, it seems as if she simply wants to share herself and her truth.

As I read, my maternal instincts kicked in early and often. I found myself wishing that I could reach out and give that child a hug. While I felt the sadness and weight of the story, I also found myself laughing at times. In the end, the book left me with a sense of joy.

I initially wavered between a three and four-star rating. However, in the end, the book's ability to make me feel so deeply tipped the scale in its favor. For me, when a book can evoke such strong emotions, it is always worth a higher score.