Women in literature, like in real life, face adversity and through their journey, they find their identity while coming of age. They show the importance of women in society and the crucial role that they play. In both I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou and The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, the protagonists were required to overcome adversity as they each discovered a greater sense of self. By being able to overcome their certain situations, Marguerite Angelou and Esperanza became more aware of their place in the world and society. Marguerite Angelou had a unique and troublesome life to say the least growing up. At three years old, she was shipped to Stamps, Arkansas with her brother, Bailey. There, Father’s
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Marguerite felt hatred towards the color of her skin and wrote, “Wouldn’t they be surprised when one day I woke out of my black ugly dream...” (Angelou 2) Due to what her parents did, she dealt with abandonment issues and believed them to be dead. Moreover, segregation was prominent in Stamps and impacted her life. Years later, Marguerite traveled to visit her real Mother in St. Louis. She was shocked to find out that her parents were alive and was unsure of how to approach “Mother Dear”, as Bailey would call her. Mother Dear’s boyfriend, Mr. Freeman, was controlling and observant of others. At seven years old, Marguerite began getting molested by him and one day, while the others were out, Mr. Freeman raped her. Marguerite was mentally destroyed and when charges were pressed, even though no one was to find out, he was found dead a day later. Marguerite believed that her accusation led to his death and she did not wish to kill others. For almost five years, Marguerite was silent, except when she was with Bailey. Her situation was not ideal when she returned to Stamps with Momma, or grandma, but she found comfort in poetry and it was then …show more content…
Her wish came true when her new friends came around and were involved throughout her story. Furthermore, Esperanza experiences multiple experiences while living on Mango Street. At her first job at the local photo shop, an Oriental man forces her to kiss him and Esperanza begins a sequence of loss of innocence. Likewise, she was forced to grow up when her abuelita died and her papa needed counseling. She held him and did all she could to ease the sorrow. Esperanza went on to meet three sisters at a baby’s funeral. They told her, “When you leave you must remember to come back for the others. A circle, understand? You will always be Esperanza. You will always be Mango Street. You can’t erase what you know. You can’t forget who you are.” (Cisneros 105) Mango Street was not for Esperanza and she felt out of her skin. She dreamed of other places and the new life that she could own. However, she would have to remember her family and those not able to leave on their
Marguerite felt hatred towards the color of her skin and wrote, “Wouldn’t they be surprised when one day I woke out of my black ugly dream...” (Angelou 2) Due to what her parents did, she dealt with abandonment issues and believed them to be dead. Moreover, segregation was prominent in Stamps and impacted her life. Years later, Marguerite traveled to visit her real Mother in St. Louis. She was shocked to find out that her parents were alive and was unsure of how to approach “Mother Dear”, as Bailey would call her. Mother Dear’s boyfriend, Mr. Freeman, was controlling and observant of others. At seven years old, Marguerite began getting molested by him and one day, while the others were out, Mr. Freeman raped her. Marguerite was mentally destroyed and when charges were pressed, even though no one was to find out, he was found dead a day later. Marguerite believed that her accusation led to his death and she did not wish to kill others. For almost five years, Marguerite was silent, except when she was with Bailey. Her situation was not ideal when she returned to Stamps with Momma, or grandma, but she found comfort in poetry and it was then …show more content…
Her wish came true when her new friends came around and were involved throughout her story. Furthermore, Esperanza experiences multiple experiences while living on Mango Street. At her first job at the local photo shop, an Oriental man forces her to kiss him and Esperanza begins a sequence of loss of innocence. Likewise, she was forced to grow up when her abuelita died and her papa needed counseling. She held him and did all she could to ease the sorrow. Esperanza went on to meet three sisters at a baby’s funeral. They told her, “When you leave you must remember to come back for the others. A circle, understand? You will always be Esperanza. You will always be Mango Street. You can’t erase what you know. You can’t forget who you are.” (Cisneros 105) Mango Street was not for Esperanza and she felt out of her skin. She dreamed of other places and the new life that she could own. However, she would have to remember her family and those not able to leave on their