Traits, are something that everyone has. They distinguish one person from another and make us all different and unique in our own ways. Traits are not only prevalent in people’s lives in the real world, but are also present in the Maya Angelou’s novel. In “I Know Why the Caged Bird SIngs”, Margaret Johnson shows many character traits. In the novel Maya uses her masculine traits to break down sexist and racist boundaries in the early twentieth century. Marguerette shows masculinity in many different scenes in this book. One of those scenes is after Mr. Freeman molests her. HE threatens to kill her if she tells Bailey or if anyone else finds out. She considers telling mama but decides that it is a bad idea. Margarette says, “The thought that
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She not only drives a car, she drives the car without having a driver’s license. Maya is being independent which is a masculine trait. She does this to help get her and drunk Big Bailey back into the United States. Maragareet states, “Idiots, and lunatics drove cars, why not the brilliant Marguerite Johnson? (237)” Not only does Marguerite understand the situation at hand, she has faith in herself that she can drive the car back to San Francisco. In this situation she is behaving very masculine because she believes in herself. Not only is she behaving masculine in this situation but she is also working to breakdown the barriers of sexism. Back in the twentieth century, men were usually the only individuals who drove automobiles. Margaret becomes one of the few females who can successfully drive an automobile. She is one who in this novel is a champion of equality for females. To further equality, Maya seeks to become the first female to become a streetcar conductor. She wants to break down the barriers of racism and sexism. Maya states reasons why she cannot become a streetcar conductor. She says, “The Black female is assaulted in her tender years by all those common forces of nature at the same time that she is caught in the tripartite crossfire of masculine prejudice, white illogical hate and Black lack of power. The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerence (272).“ She breaks down boundaries and becomes a streetcar
She not only drives a car, she drives the car without having a driver’s license. Maya is being independent which is a masculine trait. She does this to help get her and drunk Big Bailey back into the United States. Maragareet states, “Idiots, and lunatics drove cars, why not the brilliant Marguerite Johnson? (237)” Not only does Marguerite understand the situation at hand, she has faith in herself that she can drive the car back to San Francisco. In this situation she is behaving very masculine because she believes in herself. Not only is she behaving masculine in this situation but she is also working to breakdown the barriers of sexism. Back in the twentieth century, men were usually the only individuals who drove automobiles. Margaret becomes one of the few females who can successfully drive an automobile. She is one who in this novel is a champion of equality for females. To further equality, Maya seeks to become the first female to become a streetcar conductor. She wants to break down the barriers of racism and sexism. Maya states reasons why she cannot become a streetcar conductor. She says, “The Black female is assaulted in her tender years by all those common forces of nature at the same time that she is caught in the tripartite crossfire of masculine prejudice, white illogical hate and Black lack of power. The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerence (272).“ She breaks down boundaries and becomes a streetcar