I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings pdf is a 1969 autobiography by Maya Angelou that tells the story of her childhood and early adult years. The first in a seven-volume series, it is a coming-of-age story that illustrates how the strength of character and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma.
It explores themes of family, racism, rape, and identity. The book was published to critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its honest depiction of Angelou’s life up to that point. It became a bestseller and was nominated for several awards, including the National Book Award.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was published by Random House on January 5, 1969. The book sold more than 1 million copies and was nominated for the National Book Award. The book is available in paperback, hardcover, audio, and e-book formats.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Summary
Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is an autobiographical account of the author’s childhood and young adulthood. Maya is born in St. Louis, Missouri, but moves to rural Arkansas with her brother Bailey and their mother after their parents’ divorce. There, she grows up under the care of her grandmother, who instills in her a love of literature.
Maya eventually moves back to St. Louis to live with her mother, where she becomes pregnant at the age of sixteen. She gives birth to a son and names him Guy. Determined to provide a better life for her son, Maya returns to Arkansas to finish high school. After graduation, she moves to San Francisco, where she begins a successful career as a dancer and nightclub singer.
It is in San Francisco that Maya meets her future husband, Paul du Feu. The couple eventually moves to England, but their relationship ends shortly thereafter. Maya returns to the United States, where she becomes involved in the Civil Rights Movement.
Details of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Book
| Book | I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings |
| Author | Maya Angelou |
| Original language | English |
| Originally published | 1969 |
| Category | Autobiography |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Total Pages | 281 |
| Format | PDF, ePub |
Multiple Languages Editions of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Book
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings has been translated into multiple languages and is available in paperback, hardcover, audio, and e-book formats. The book has sold more than 1 million copies and has been nominated for the National Book Award.
| Book Editions | Check Now |
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About the Author
Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 4, 1928. She is an American novelist, poet, memoirist, and civil rights, activist. Angelou has written several novels, including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), which chronicles her childhood and young adulthood.
Angelou was active in the Civil Rights Movement and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. She is also known for her work as a poet, including her poem “Phenomenal Woman” (1978). Maya Angelou passed away on May 28, 2014, at the age of 86.
In an interview, Maya Angelou once said, “I know why the caged bird sings. It sings because it has a song.” Her words have inspired generations of people all over the world.
Her work continues to live on through her books, poems, and interviews. If you have never read any of her work, I highly recommend that you do.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings PDF Free Download
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Similar Books to I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Book
- The Autobiography of Malcolm X
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston
- A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
- Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
- The Booker Prize Winning novel, The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the moral of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?
The moral of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is to never give up on yourself. No matter how bad things might seem, there is always hope for a better tomorrow. Maya Angelou’s story is one of resilience and hope, and it is an inspiration to us all.
What happened at the end of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?
At the end of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou returns to the United States and becomes involved in the Civil Rights Movement.
What is the main theme of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?
The main theme of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is overcoming adversity.
What is ironic about the I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?
The title of the book is ironic because it is about a bird that is caged, but it still manages to sing.
Who is the main character in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings book?
The main character in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is Maya Angelou.
Why did Maya Angelou write I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings book?
Maya Angelou wrote I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings as a way to share her story and inspire others.
