I know why the caged bird sings (Author- Maya Angelou) - Essay Example

I know why the caged bird sings by Maya Angelou Scenario In chapter 4, People used to judge Maya as an ugly girl since her face was not impressive to have a look. For this reason she failed to have self-identity, hence could not relate with other individuals in the society. She imagined that one day she would become beautiful and surprise people who thought she could not transform (Angelou, 14). In relating the scenario with the real world, many people especially young girls and women in the society are extremely affected by the comments and perception they get from other society.

This makes them have low self-esteem and finally end up lacking self-identity. Maya related whiteness to beauty since in the society she lived; white people were perceived as beautiful and gorgeous (Angelou, 14). Similarly, in the real world, many black skinned individuals go for the option of using bleaching chemicals to make their skins white believing that they would look good.Scenario 2In chapter 1, Maya describes her stay in the south as putting a razor to one’s throat because of being a black girl.

She went through hard times since racism was rampant at the time (Angelou, 10). Many issues are brought out in because of racism such as frustration, embarrassment, and disillusionment. She felt that black people were not seen as full Americans, and her alienation with her people made her feel displaced and unwanted. In relating to the real world scenario, racism still exists, and many black Americans feel that they are displaced in their own country (Angelou, 3). For this reason, black Americans and other minor races living in America, are discriminated; hence, do not share the country’s resources equally.

Scenario 3In chapter 7, Momma was scared of speaking rudely and harshly to the white people. She could only do this while generically referring to the whites as ‘they’. Maya further refers Momma as a realist rather than a coward in the society for this reason (Angelou, 18). Relating to the scenario to real world it is true that some black Americans are oppressed and forced to believe that whites are superior in the society. They believe that high ranks in the government are only for whites.

Work CitedAngelou, Maya. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. New York: Random House, 2009. Print.