Self-discovery is a journey many people reach through a range of different outlets. In I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou presents the evolution of a young, black girl who survived adversities. Marguerite Ann Johnson surmounts atrocious moments in her life with the emotional support of key figures. Momma’s reassurance, and of an upbringing with good morality to Marguerite provided an unsaid motherly love. Mother Dear’s carefree character allows Marguerite to become independent. Mrs. Flowers, a Southern aristocrat, represents a future Marguerite can strive for. Her brother, Bailey, surrounds her with love and protection from malicious actions. Louise Kendricks leads Marguerite to a pathway to regain a childhood she was wrongfully stolen from.
Annie Henderson, known as Momma, is a practical, religious woman who is left to nurture her grandchildren. Momma is a powerful lady as she is the only black woman to own land where she opens a store in Stamps, Arkansas. When Marguerite and Momma go to visit their local dentist, they are denied service because of their skin color. On their way to a black dentist, Momma holds her with reassurance: “There was no chance that a …show more content…
Bertha Flowers is the only intellectual women she comes across during her childhood. Mrs. Flowers is a positive role model that not many young, black girls were able to encounter. Marguerite admires Mrs. Flowers’ status: “It would be safe to say that she made me proud to be Negro, just by being herself” (93). Unlike Momma, Mrs. Flowers is shows a gentle, poised, and educated adult that Marguerite can become. This representation gives her the self-esteem she needs in order to defy the stereotype of black women: “This is likely a survival function designed to help us to mimic the traits of those successful members of our society and thereby help us to be successful too” (Thomas, para. 2). She is given the ressurrance that; even though, black woman face obstacles that can preserve through
Annie Henderson, known as Momma, is a practical, religious woman who is left to nurture her grandchildren. Momma is a powerful lady as she is the only black woman to own land where she opens a store in Stamps, Arkansas. When Marguerite and Momma go to visit their local dentist, they are denied service because of their skin color. On their way to a black dentist, Momma holds her with reassurance: “There was no chance that a …show more content…
Bertha Flowers is the only intellectual women she comes across during her childhood. Mrs. Flowers is a positive role model that not many young, black girls were able to encounter. Marguerite admires Mrs. Flowers’ status: “It would be safe to say that she made me proud to be Negro, just by being herself” (93). Unlike Momma, Mrs. Flowers is shows a gentle, poised, and educated adult that Marguerite can become. This representation gives her the self-esteem she needs in order to defy the stereotype of black women: “This is likely a survival function designed to help us to mimic the traits of those successful members of our society and thereby help us to be successful too” (Thomas, para. 2). She is given the ressurrance that; even though, black woman face obstacles that can preserve through