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Discussions
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jsherry
I think because of the sex and rape, if I'm remembering correctly. Golly, we can't have our kids read about that!
posted 6 years ago.
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unicorn42
I wish I could answer you, I don't know. I admire this woman and have for years. Jsherry probably has it right. One more thing jsherry our kids can't read something like this, but the music that they listen is just fine.
posted 6 years ago.
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WordGirl78
I agree with the last poster that it was banned for the rape and sex scenes but I also think it was banned because of the larger issues that Maya Angelou brings to the forefront. Institutional racism and acknowledging that it exists terrifies much of America. And many of the people that work hard to ban controversial books don't like looking in the mirror and seeing themselves. WG
posted 6 years ago.
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mossflower
i seem to have opened a can of worms. the authors of I Know Why a Caged Bird Sings and Beloved are inspirational, the content is about what life can be to some sections of our community. we can stop that by reading about their lives, understanding, and not allowing to happen to anyone else either by letter to government, or just local government, by not condoning it, and standing up to those that do it. the author i would ban is Bret Ellis Peters, his mind is worrying.
posted 6 years ago.
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mossflower
sex is part of who we are it only becomes bad when we abuse this position of trust and love as in rape. i am sure secondary school kids know about sex and some might have experienced rape. I'm sure that if reading these books in an open way with discussion on all topics they bring up then our children might have a chance of learning responsibility, rather than taking whats told to them as bad, without thought.
posted 6 years ago.
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amberglass
I'm with Mossflower, i don't think its really to do with the rape secen, more because she was black, as if you look at the books that have been banned, Maya's one is the only one to come from an Afro-American as well as being female.
I'm sorry jsherry, but why can't we educate kids about sex in books? It happens so why not in books? If you allow a child to watch the news and hear about it from there, what's so different to them choosing to read such a book? I read in when i was 21. I don't think you need to be emontionally grown up to read any book, just as long as you understand the text.
I don't think this book should have ever been banned.
I also agree with mossy, and bann Bret Ellis. I hate his stuff, much worst than any books that have been banned over the last century.posted 6 years ago.
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Lovely
Because people are afraid of the power of literature. Millions of women and men have disclosed sexual abuse as a result of this book. Many generations of silence have been broken within families. In a country that purports to believe in free speech I wonder why any books are banned?
posted 6 years ago.
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amberglass
I think all the banned books are the best in literature. I think that's why they are so good, because they have been banned. I think its a shame that books have been banned.
posted 6 years ago.
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bookbybook
The ban on this book is NOT a Fahrenheit 451 kind of ban! It is simply an age-related, grade-related ban. After I read the book I couldn't believe that it was required reading for schools. I don't think this is appropriate reading for school-aged kids and I am all for the ban. Personally, I liked the book and I like Maya Angelou. It's ridiculous to say that the book is banned "because she was black"--ridiculous! And the thought that "banned books are the best in literature"---well, of course---that's human nature! We ALWAYS crave what is forbidden---we don't crave it because it's good or good for us. The ban simply applies to school kids, not all Americans--for heaven's sake. The bigger question is---Why wouldn't you want to shelter and protect children for as long as possible?
posted 6 years ago.
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amberglass
why shouldn't it be read for schools? So many other bad things happen in this world that children know of. I really cannot understand why so many of yous who have posted a responds to this say that children shouldn't read it. I think they should as i thought it was a great book, that can be read by anyone of any ages.
I do think we all have different ideas as to why it has been banned, all valued points, but we aren't listening to one anothers reasons, which is a shame.
No one said any thing about Americans wanting to bann the book. i have no idea why bookbybook has written that. I can see that your frustrated by our responds, when you shouldn't have to be. You see it as being banned to protect children, i don't and nor does Mossflower and its NOTHING to do with us being British either.posted 6 years ago.
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Kalidikeds
I'm bothered by the very idea of banning any books, but this one especially bothered me. I understand that parents may not want their children reading about rape and sex, and I would certainly keep this book out of the hands of younger readers until they are at least in high school (which was when I first read the book). What bothers me is that this is a true story, non-fiction. The rape really happened to this woman; I think she has a right to tell her story, and people have a right to hear it. It also bothers me that people tend to focus right in on the rape and graphic sexual scenes; does anyone even care about the aftermath? Look at what Maya Angelou has done with her life, in spite of all the hardships. She is an inspiring woman, and the fact that her story isn't always the prettiest story doesn't mean that it should be banned and kept out of the hands of potential readers.
posted 6 years ago.
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bookbybook
I guess I'm amazed at how many think the ban of this book applies to anyone and everyone. The only place that this book was banned was in schools----for minors (children) in the public school setting---it was not banned from the public at large. (We don't do that anymore---this is not the 1800s.) The reason it was banned is because of the graphic detail Maya Angelou goes into describing the sexual encounter and the rape. That is not appropriate reading for school-aged children. I don't think anyone has missed the tragic reality of this story or how the author rose above her circumstances to become a great writer and a fabulous person who has contributed so much to society in general and literature in specific. The banning of the book is an age-related / grade-related ban---nothing more.
posted 6 years ago.
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LuvReading
I think bookbybook means that people get all huffy about "book banning" and it doesn't mean (in our country at least) that absolutely no one can get their hands on it. It just means it's not allowed in the schools. It's not like Iran, where a certain book may be forbidden to everyone.
People have a right to protect their children if they want...that's why some schools send home permission slips to read certain books in class.posted 6 years ago.
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Sarahslight
So typical for a beautiful book to be banned....I have spent much of my life in America but will never understand the puritanism here
posted 6 years ago.
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rosered
I was just thinking the same thing. That jsherry was being sarcastic. That's the thing about typing. Humor and sarcasm just don't translate well. :)
posted 6 years ago.
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mossflower
Hi all thank you for all your comments. i certainly touched a nerve. can we all be friends now and start another discussion. love, peace and good reading to all
posted 6 years ago.
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Loweyes
I wonder at that myself - to ban books is to ban ideas, ways of thinking, of living, of speaking. I can understand being worried about youngsters reading Brett Easton Ellis' violencepromoting books, but a sound youngster, who is able to question what he/she reads and is able to distinct right from wrong, will not be harmed by reading them (nauseated, yes, but not harmed). Our job as parents, teachers, librarians etc. is to teach children and youngsters to relate to ideas with a sceptic mind, to question ideas that don't feel right to them. When that is properly done, we don't need to fear book, however radically they are written.
posted 6 years ago.
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Loweyes
'If we close our eyes and pretend it isn't there it will go away' seems to be the major reason to ban books! I guess some people has to read more books and have their minds broadened a litte bit :-)
posted 6 years ago.
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For me (from Belgium) the idea of banning books is totally ludicrous. I can't remember a book having been banned since the Pope's index was still enforced.
What does it mean in practice when a book is banned? Is it actually forbidden to read it or does it just mean that teachers are not allowed to talk about it and that it is not available in libraries?posted 6 years ago.
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LuvReading
I agree with Kalidikeds on this one. I wasn't as impressed with this book as most...but like others have said, she's such a positive role model. Look what she's been through and turned out to be!
The book is written kind of low key. It's not overdone, dirty, etc. Just enough to get the point across and feel her pain. I think it is decent for high school students to read.posted 6 years ago.
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LuvReading
Hey, a good discussion is what we have here...no hard feelings that I can see!
posted 6 years ago.
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Literanista
The three major reasons for challenging books are, in descending order, sexual explicitness, offensive language, and "unsuited to age group." Other reasons include occult themes, violence, promotion of homosexuality, promotion of a religious viewpoint, nudity, racism, presentation of sex education, and books considered "anti-family."
From: Banned Books Weekposted 6 years ago.
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shalenadiva
Hello, everyone! I just joined Shelfari this week. I love this book and I actually read it in high school. I didn't think the contents were too provocative when our class read it together. This is such a fine piece of literature and it seems as though young people are being robbed of a great read. I could relate to many of the themes discussed in the book, so I felt it was appropriate. There's my two cents!
posted 6 years ago.
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Running Mommy
I think that this novel is a classic for Maya Angelou and the Black community. I agree with Lovely that this book has more people that have been sexually abused or molested as children or young adults. I cannot believe that they would ban such a well written book in 2007. We are suppose top live in a land of free speech and free rights but I guess the saying goes that freedom of speech is for some and not all of the people. Also this is not the only book written with sexual or graphic details. Many books have been written and many more willl be written on this subject matter.
posted 5 years ago.
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OnikaPascal
I've laughed and cried and chuckled with each scene and situation that was brought to life in this book. I felt as though I walked with her and went through just about the same emotions that she has. Maya's writing style invites you each and every time to place yourself in that very era and timeframe. Her words are addictive and you can't help but read it to the end and find it completely satisfactory.
posted 5 years ago.
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OnikaPascal removed this reply 5 years ago
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cwmitchell removed this reply 5 years ago
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Iris D
iris d
8 books / 21 friends / 0 groups
Along with this you all must read Pinki Virani's Bitter Choclate .You'll cry all over again.
Iris
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Copyright © 2006-2007 Tastemakers, Inc. Portions of Shelfari are Copyright © 1996-2007 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.posted 5 years ago.
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Hava s
"What you looking at me for?
I didn't come to stay..."
She is clearest voice the black peopleposted 5 years ago.
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Rebel26
Maya Angelou is my hero. She's managed to live through all the traumas & injustices life could throw at her and emerge with grace, strength, beauty, and love. She's an amazing person, this book was so beautifully written, really inspiring.
posted 5 years ago.
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PhDBookworm
Read this some years ago for my honours. Heart rending book. Kinda reminded me of Oprah's upbringing. Coincidentally, Oprah and Maya are great friends. Could the book have been the springboard of their friendship? While I know Oprah is stiil alive, does anyone know the earthly status of Maya Angelou?
posted 5 years ago.
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Dorothy P
Maya Angelou is alive. She was a Hillary supporter in the Democratic primary
posted 4 years ago.
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Michelle L
Maya was just on Oprah via Skype and she looked well. She turned 80 years old this year.
posted 4 years ago.
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ray s
Another great read is A Step Into Deliverance by Toni Pugh. It is also an autobiography of a different sort and a real page-turner!
posted 4 years ago.
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MetaKatea removed this reply 5 years ago
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Amy
I read a essay in English 102 that was taken from her autobiography. Graduation was the title, I definitely want to read the entire book!!!
posted 4 years ago.
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Nedq
I admire and have admired Maya Angelou for a very long time because there were some things that I did not know about her life until a few years ago. I've always wondered about racism because I grew up in a middle class (at that time) upper class neighborhood with two professional working parents. I was never treated differently because of my culture even though I somehow realized after getting older that some of the accounts in Maya's, and so very many other influential African-Americans actually had to endure such tragic and awful things. Yet, through it all, the ones that suffered so much unjust are now truly free...for those that are gone for example Martin Luther King, Jr. are now angels...they are truly free!
posted 2 years ago.
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Ms. Cheryl
What do you know about the US during the 1930s, 40s and 50s? How about Stamps, Arkansas? Share your research about, or connect your classmates to a site where they can find more information. You might decide to focus on one topic like "Jim Crow" laws, Harlem Renaissance, segregation, Brown vs. Board of Education or the Civil Rights Movement.
How do these topics relate to Maya Angelou or the book itself?posted 2 years ago.
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Mafe Quintero
Brown vs. Board of Education was presented on 1954. This declare state laws establishing the separation between black and whites in public schools. With this new law the education was unequal and the racial segregation increased. In Topeka, Kansas some parents suit the Board of Education of the city because of the differentiation they made for their sons and daughters at school. Maya Angelou lived during that time and she had to live this unequal and separation of education. This is one of the themes of her book.
posted 2 years ago.
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Maria Camila Rangel
All these topics are part of changes in the black community to stop the racism in the United States. They relate to Maya because she is living that black life before those changes and it affects her as a little girl. At the beginning of the book she says:"Because I was really white and because a cruel fairy stepmother, who was understandably jealous of my beauty, had turned me into a too-big Negro girl, with nappy black hair..." Here she is showing how racism even affects her own opinion about her physical beauty. If she's not white, probably no one will find her cute and pretty.
posted 2 years ago.
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silvia aristizabal
About the "Jim Crow" laws... after the American Civil War, most States passed an anti-African America legislation. Some of these laws included the prohibition of African American to attend school.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAjimcrow.htm (more information)
Jim Crow Laws has effect on chapter 1 about the cotton pickers. Maya knows how white people looks like and so she knows how white people's segregation affected profoundly her family.posted 2 years ago.
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Ms. Cheryl
How do you think racism in the USA relates to racism in Colombia? Is there racism here? What ways are people discriminated against that relates to the racism in the USA?
posted 2 years ago.
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Maria Camila Rangel
Here in Colombia, people are not discriminated by their skin color it's mainly because of status. Poor people are seen as bad people that constantly steal from everyone. So, when people walk on the streets, a homeless is the most dangerous thing to be near to. So, the rich people end up being part of the good society, supposedly. So in Colombia, status defines your personality unfortunately.
posted 2 years ago.
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Daniela Alvarez
Jim Crow Laws were laws that were under the slogan of "separate but equal." These laws led to an unfair treatment that was given to blacks, inferior to the treatment given to whites. These laws also gave rise to a large number of economic, educational, and economic disadvantages.
This issue relates to the book because Maya Angelou writes in the book about how she was affected by racial segregation and how she felt about it. In the first chapter she describes how she was treated in the church and how the other children tease her. She also mentions in the chapter how se felt about being black.
" I was really white and because a cruel fairy stepmother, who was understandably jealous of my beauty, had turned me into a too-big Negro girl..."posted 2 years ago.
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Javier Higuera
“How do you think racism in the USA relates to racism in Colombia? Is there racism here? What ways are people discriminated against that relates to the racism in the USA
Racism has existed throughout human history in all parts of the world. Racism in the USA is mostly against african americans, while in Colombia we dont see too much of these racism, but is more against natives. Sometimes natives are seen as different people, like if they were not part of the society, but everyone is equal. Nowdays they are more respected and are taken in consideration at politics and society itself.posted 2 years ago.
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Jan Sebastian
The life for a black person during that time period was far more than harsh. They had to settle with inferior jobs and had to endure the punishment given by the white folks. They had been seggregated from the white society in every possible aspect, there were bathrooms fr white people and for black people. The schools were the same black people had different schools from the white and because the whte people had more money they got better education, given the poverty of the black people most of them quit school becaus even if they finished their work choices probaby wouldn't go higher than cleaning houses.
posted 2 years ago.
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Mafe Quintero
Racism in the USA is very different than Colombian, because here this is not a main issue. In the USA racism define how people is, where they live, where they go and their personality in general. Which is really sad, although now is less than before, there are people who continue judging others only by the way they look; their skin color. That's not fair because to know a person you need to talk with him/her, not only looking his/her exterior and pretend to know him. Now that I read the book, I think that Maya Angelou tried to expressed how the black people felt with this discrimination. She tried to make the reader understand her a little bit more.
posted 2 years ago.
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Andres
During the 1930s, the US was in an economic Depression, because of the war, and other factors. The situation was so bad, that the president at that time (1933) had to creat a new deal, that was retreat, reform and recovery, most well known as the three R´s. The dust bowl was another natural disaster that occurred at that time, and it damaged all the farmers crops and it brang the economy really down too. FDR dies in 1945 and Harry S. Truman takes control and they bombed hiroshima and nagasaki.Segregation Ruled Illegal in U.S. in 1951. The jim crow laws were laws that mandate locally and in a state the segregation of color people they were in action until 1965. Racism was a constant threat to the African Americans. Some examples of the racism on the Us during the 1950s: http://academic.udayton.edu/race/02rights/jcrow02.htm.
posted 2 years ago.
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Andres
“How do you think racism in the USA relates to racism in Colombia? Is there racism here? What ways are people discriminated against that relates to the racism in the USA?"
Here in colombia, people are not really discriminated racially because there havent been too many encounters with African descendants or color people. We dont see many color people around us in the streets, we just see them when we travel to the cost, but we dont discriminate them. Here people are used to discriminate for the social classes. We dont have many friends that are from lower class than us. Its not that we dont like them, its that we are not compatible and we dont have the same objectives, and we havent been educated to treat with other people that arent as same social class as us. We are educated to respect everyone but not to treat with everyone. Here in colombia, poor people are always seen as bad people but this is not the case for me, i respect them and value them as much as i value everyone. Poor people are not usually given the right to serve in the goverment and work as everyone.posted 2 years ago.
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Ms. Cheryl
Many of you mention that race is not as big of an issue in Colombia, and that social strata is more significant. Is race related to social status? Are there more people from one race in one social strata? Are there broad trends that relate to race, or are all the races represented equally in all of the social strata?
I like that Javier include the issue of indigenous people. That is still a major concern in the United States. Thank you for sharing your perspective on this issue.posted 2 years ago.
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Daniel Silva
Racism in Colombia is very related to social status, its said that we are the most inequal country at Latin America in terms of economic equality that means that every place were you go like Bogota or Medellin or any big city you will find very rich and very poor people; of course more of them are poor so the dismanagement of money by the upper class is very high so that creates a feeling of hatred.
But there is not only racism in Colombia in social classes, regions is sometimes a big deal at the country.posted 2 years ago.
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Javier Higuera
The Civil Rights Movement was a political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. "The civil rights movement in the United States refers partially to a set of noted events and the reform movements in that country that aimed to abolish public and private acts of racial discrimination and racism against African Americans and other disadvantaged groups between 1954 to 1968, particularly in the southern United States." Civil Rights Movement were passage of Civil Rights Act of 1964, that banned discrimination based on "race, color, religion, or national origin" in employment practices and public accommodations. This movement helped to attack the discrimination and racism that took place during these years in the USA.
posted 2 years ago.
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Paula Natalia
the racial segregation is when humans are divided into racial groups. this discriminations are shown especially at public places in which they are limited to do some things. depending on the race their jobs are also limited. this is shown on the book when Maya needs a dentist, in stamps there was any black dentist so her mom tooks her into a white dentist and he didn´t want to attend Maya because she is black and the law prohibited it, he prefers to pay her the train ticket into the other dentist.
posted 2 years ago.
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Diego
Our problem with the indigenous people can be compared with the issue in the United States, the land that they thought was theirs is being taken away by corporations or powerful individuals. This leads to an increasing amount of homeless people, unable to work, unable to succeed.
posted 2 years ago.
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Daniel Castrillon
During the 30's, 40's and 50's a lot of changes shifted around, slaves were far to be seen but racial problems still remained. Lots of lynchings were performed and accused on colored people. We can see a remarkable example in a book, "To kill a Mockingbird" where the young women accused a black male of rape when she was the one who kissed him. It is believed that many accusations were lay upon the the colored community and deaths were common. White people were mean and now one understood why like Bailey when he saw the dead man in the lake. No one had the right answer for "ju"
posted 2 years ago.
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Ms. Cheryl
What do you think about the title? What might the caged bird symbolize in the story? When you answer, refer to specific passages that prompted your answer.
posted 2 years ago.
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silvia aristizabal
What I think about the title is that Maya Angelou is representing the abstract idea or concept that she may had deal with in the past. The idea of the bird may be a symbol in the story because it represents freedom. Is ironic because the bird is trapped in a cage unavailable to fly, but when he sings it is making a shout out to freedom. "His wings are clipped and his feet are tied." What this quote means is that the bird is trapped unable to fly because a cage is preventing it.
posted 2 years ago.
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Ms. Cheryl
I like your ideas Silvia, and I agree. It is interesting that the symbol of freedom is trapped in a cage. Can you ever feel caged like the symbolic bird? Do you ever feel silenced or held down by things in society? Give me some examples about the ways you might relate (or the ways you fail to relate) to Maya's story. Or, think about other books we have read this year. How might other characters relate to a caged bird?
posted 2 years ago.
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Mafe Quintero
I think that everyone had felt caged, silenced, trapped by the society. Maya in the book deal with racial segregation, she thinks she's not important, she felt less than anyone else. In the other hand, now in this society we are ruled by some "laws" and those are what people think about us. This society want to impress others about things they have, money, cloth, latest technology (ipods, ipads, cellphones) .... And each person can't be themselves, because they are afraid of what others will think about them.
posted 2 years ago.
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silvia
when I think in about this title I think about the society, how people differ from others and how people changed because of the society. I think that the society is the one encharge of changing the people. Because for example a baby is inocent when they are born and if their parents are the ones encharged to educated him the way they want and when the baby goes to school and if he has bad friendship he would vhanged because of their frienship so the society is the one who is encharged of changing the people. I think maya feel like in cage because she feels alone like if something is missing inside her.
posted 2 years ago.
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Jan Sebastian
The title is pratically a summary or the whole book. Every time the African Americans were about to triumph there was a greedy white man standing in the way. African American literature was silenced for a good part of the century and was considered as taboo. Even is african americans were "fre" they weren't truly equal and maya angelou felt that and started beleiving she was the problem when in reality the society was the problem
posted 2 years ago.
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Maria Camila Rangel
Another book that includes a "caged bird" is To Kill a Mockingbird. The caged bird could be Boo Radley. Society took away his freedom when they started pointing him as dangerous for the town. People started taking other routes instead of crossing by his house. He is trapped in a place where nobody likes him.
posted 2 years ago.
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silvia aristizabal
Yes, people can feel trapped even though they are not in cages. Such as Maya, she thinks her black skin isn't beautiful, she wished it was white. Black people in some places do not have the right to say what they think because its not valid. From my point of view, maybe I've felt that way when I argue with my parents i have to stay silence and listen what they have to tell me without responding back.
posted 2 years ago.
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Ms. Cheryl
What are the factors that "cage" Maya? Are they experiences? Personal limitations? Limitations from society?
How about for you? What things might "cage" you? Generally speaking you all have a lot of opportunities, but you can still feel like things might "cage" you...do you?posted 2 years ago.
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daniela
I think that what the author is trying to tell is that singing is the way the bird could express it self for freedom while people can express themselves in other ways. The bird is trapped in the cage looking for liberty, maybe she can understand him because she has experienced in someway that feeling.
posted 2 years ago.
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silvia aristizabal
Factors that "cage" Maya are for example racism (her skin color) and the unequal opportunities that have presented to Maya such as the access to education and the unequal treat that are given to white and black people. Maya therefore has limitation from society as well as experience from the fact that she was raped.
posted 2 years ago.
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Daniel Silva
I think what Maya Angelou is trying to make us notice is that although the bird is trapped, he sings for all the other good things he has in his life. Maya Angelou did not had the best childhood but she had some good things at it that made her sang or be free in other way.
Even in the worst situtation you have to look for hope.posted 2 years ago.
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Andres
I think that the title of the book is very interesting. A caged bird represents the opression of the people within the society. Some people think and talk about changing their lifes, but they never act with its ideologies. Some dont act because of fear of change and becoming a bad and unestable person. Maya in this book makes us think that the bird is the African-American or color people. In the story, a caged bird symbolizes all the bad things that color people have to pass through for being happy, she helps us understand why the color people are not happy with their present and why we need to help them change their reality.
posted 2 years ago.
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Mafe Quintero
Everyone felt caged in their life, but only few accept it and tried to escape. Maybe Maya was not only "caged" because of her skin color, but also by herself. She felt she wasn't pretty, or didn't have the same opportunities than white people, and because of this she never tried to do better. Maybe she caged herself so what others said will not affect her. And I think that is what almost all people does, they caged themselves so they can't felt hurt by others, or simply to be away from a huge problem they never faced.
posted 2 years ago.
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Juan Sebastian Vesga
I think that Maya Angelou create that title representing something that deal with the past of her. She represent the bird as freedom, is representing Maya in her childhood. The bird represent Maya, she wants to be free but something don't let that happen, that is why the title is I know why the Caged Bird Sings, representing Maya's childhood and her hope of freedom.
posted 2 years ago.
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Paula Natalia removed this reply 2 years ago
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daniela
''Cage'' might symbolize how black people have to act infront of white people. How they have to resist their insults and the bad way blacks are treated. Like when the white girls came into Ms. henderson's store and she told Maya to go inside, maya was really angry about the girls because of the way they were talking to her grnadma.
posted 2 years ago.
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Daniela Alvarez
The title may refer to the way Maya Feels about how the society inhibits her. She is limited by the racial segregation and because of this she is like a bird trapped in a cage. readers can see this when her grandmother forbidden her to read books of Shakespeare that she liked so much. Another character is Lenny from the book of mice and men, He was marginalized because he was different from the rest of the society.The factors that caged Maya were the society because the color of her skin, her family for the same example of Shakespeare's books, and herself because she felt inferior for being black and ugly.
posted 2 years ago.
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Paula Natalia
through the story Maya experienced being in a "cage" in many ways. when Mr. Freeman rape her and tells her she had to kept silence or he would kill Bailey, and then when she had to confessed infront of the judge what really happen, she felt trapped. between saying it was not the first time Mr. Freeman do something to her because then her relationship from all life with her brother would be ruin, because it was the first secret she kept from him. and the other option that she choose was to lie and tell Mr. Freeman rape her without her complete permission, and this cause the death of Freeman.
posted 2 years ago.
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Paula Natalia
i do not feel entirely on a "cage" but sometimes in this society that is commonly known as a censorious society we are limited to do somethings. we are not in a complete freedom. talking for instance i am not comfortable living in my home because they make me do things i dont want to do, so the decision that i should made to feel free out of the cage could be left home. but then the cage comes back because the society would not let a child move alone or either work.
posted 2 years ago.
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Daniela Alvarez
School sometimes cages me. I need to study and work hard for subjects that i dont find interesting and that i know they are not going to help me in my future. i would rather study things regarding subjects i enjoy or that will help me in a future; Because I think in this way i could have much more success in life.
posted 2 years ago.
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Diego
When I hear the word "cage" I immediately see it as a prison or a barrier, it stops Maya from being what she wants to be in society. I think the "cage" in this book refers to the events that occurred to young Maya that in some way, limits or shrouds her thoughts and judgement.
posted 2 years ago.
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Diego
"Do you ever feel silenced or held down by things in society?"
About this:
I believe we will never know how it is to be "free as a bird" because we will forever be held down by laws, that will limit our actions. Not only this but we bear the duty as students to succeed and make our parents proud. We are subject to this all the time and as life goes on we will continue to pick up and carry new responsibilities.posted 2 years ago.
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Daniel Castrillon
In the book the giver i feel that Jonas is caged in the society, this society is plain and equal. As he finds out about the things in life that are kept from everyone else, he feels even worse. I believe that the society in which Maya lives is different form the one from the giver, but the government is the one that puts pressure on the people, and not race putting pressure over different people. These two books might be a little bit similar both of them are pressured and left down to nothing, so they have to be quiet and follow the rules.
posted 2 years ago.
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Ms. Cheryl
How does Maya think about words and talking when she is a young girl? On page 73 she talks about being silent because her words will harm others. What is she referring to? Why might she think that her words caused another person harm?
What might be the significance of this part of the novel? How does it function as a turning point for young Maya?posted 2 years ago.
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Diego
When Maya was raped by Mr. Freeman she did not utter a word... in the beginning. She felt a severe pain from the sex being her first time, and didn't know why there is blood on her underwear. The next day, Bailey finds her underwear and Vivian takes her to the hospital, where she confesses Mr. Freeman's name in raping her. Mr. Freeman is sent to jail but is released shortly after. The night of his release, Maya finds out Mr. Freeman was beaten to death. She blames herself for Mr. Freeman's death and condemns herself never to speak to anyone but Bailey again. This is significant in that Maya realizes Bailey is the only person she can trust and she refuses to be the reason for anyone else's death by not speaking at all.
posted 2 years ago.
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Andres
When Maya is a young girl, she didnt like to talk too much because she wanted to prevent anything bad that happened in her sorroundings. when she recieves presents from her parents she realizes she was lied to by them, and when she was raped her uncles beat mr.freeman(the man who raped her) to death. she blames herself for that because she feels that if she never had said anything that mr.freeman would still be alive. so she decides to quit speaking to anyone but bailey he got her to confess the rapist's name. Bailey is the only person Maya trusts.The significance of this part of the novel is that she changes her point of view drastically. I am sure that when someone gets raped, that person gets to have a deep anger against society.
posted 2 years ago.
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Maria Camila Rangel
I think what it's significant at this part of the novel is the fact that she's so young and innocent but at the same time she's a young adult that understands. She acts like an innocent person when she thinks Mr Freeman loves her as a father, when she says "no" at court and after what happened, thinking he is still a good guy. She acts as a young adult when she says she knows what she had done and that unfortunately she had agree to do what Mr Freeman asked her. She is conscious of the problem she got herself into and at court, she realizes she would be blamed too if she had said "yes". She learned how to reason.
posted 2 years ago.
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daniela
Maya had to lie about what happened with Mr freeman for him to get on prison, and then she hears that he had been beaten to death and so she thinks he had died because of her fault, her lies. MAybe she thinks that by talking to people she could influence on many things that could not be good for others and so she is scared to make other pay for her words in a bad way. She isn't sure about her self and what she could tell so she decides to be quiet. I think it is an important part of the novel because its a turning point in which Maya prefers not to talk for other not to get harmed as she had been and according to her the pain she had caused by Mr Freeman's death.
posted 2 years ago.
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Jan Sebastian
After Maya was raped her trust in people faltered. Every time she met someone new there was a chance that by speaking to them she would suffer. I beleive that's one of the reasons she shut down and refused to speak. For a black girl in a community where the white had the power simply by talking she could be putting herself in harms way. She never wished Freemans death despite the awful things he did to her but it's undeniable that she feels guilty of his death.
posted 2 years ago.
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Ms. Cheryl
Great, thoughtful, responses. For me, this is one of the most difficult parts of the book...especially when I remember that it is about her real life. However, I think that we all have secrets and silences that we are afraid to tell. How does silence play a part in your own life? What things in your life help end the silence? For me, music is a great way to find a voice when I can´t use mine. I also find people who share my experiences in the books I read. There is a part of me that looks for people who share my stories so I can feel more comfortable with my own voice.
posted 2 years ago.
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silvia aristizabal
Silence plays an important part in life because we must think before acting or hear before talking. Silence makes me look beyond my thinking and reflect further in maybe things I've done or I have to do to be happy and calm. Talking with my mom or with my friends or even "twitter" (which is actually the best media where I end my silence), reading some wise quotes really help me end my silence and vent with all the things I have inside me that can´t be supported anymore.
posted 2 years ago.
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Jan Sebastian
most ofthe times we are silent it is because we do not wish to answer something or we feel embarrased about the answer. For Maya Angelou this was a mayor role in her life as she had to be silent for most of her life, every single comment she made could have singled her out and become the target for mocks and an even harsher time than what she already had.
posted 2 years ago.
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Mafe Quintero
As you said everyone have secrets that were never revelaled to anyone, but to have this secret may hurt your soul. I consider myself as a quiet person because I don't really feel comfortable telling everyone what I feel, think.... but I found a excellent way to express myself. Drawing, writing, reading and even talking with some new friends who help me go through difficulties and face them. But not all friends will help, because there are many who are not true friends, they have envy, and may not want the best for you, but the worst. And those people are the ones who hurt you more than anyone else, because you had trust them.
posted 2 years ago.
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Andres
Silence plays a very big part in my life. My family says that I have always been quiet. I like to be quiet because this way I can think what ever i want without the intervenience of any other ideas. Sometimes being quiet is not so good, because you have to express your feelings because we live in a society and the society is based on the needs of the people. If you dont express your ideas or feelings you are simply another bunch of mass and thats it. Starting to talk a little bit more helps to end the silence because it gets you more confident.Your ideas can change or modify someone else´s ideas and viceversa.
posted 2 years ago.
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Javier Higuera
How does silence play a part in your own life? What things in your life help end the silence?
"In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness".- Mahatma Gandhi
Silence plays a part in my life when i need to think or just realx. Silence makes everything clearer. Sometimes a little of silence can solve problems and make everything seem better. I dont see silence as a bad thing and when i want silence there is not something that i want to occur to end it. On the contrary, i find it very relaxing and conforting.posted 2 years ago.
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daniela
In some ways silence plays an important part of each others life. People should have things they should keep for themselves things might get missed up or misunderstood. Everyone has, finding someone who has your same secrete in someway you could talk about is a big rest.
posted 2 years ago.
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Diego
It is pretty shocking to realize that all this is real, and that it talks about the lives of real people. It is impossible for me to imagine a life without talking, yes we all hide things, but it is hard to keep it all to yourself. We all need a way to communicate, its the purpose of life, to express ourselves.
posted 2 years ago.
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Daniel Castrillon
I've been studying the relationship between Bailey and Maya, from beginning to end. This experience silenced Maya for the first time, at such young age, she was left confused and without any answers. The only person Maya could trust in that jungle full of bad people was her brother, and if she talked she would put his brother life at risk. This separated confused Maya and Bailey. What do you think of their relationship, does it grow apart or together by this experience? Do they become stronger or just learn to forget easily?
posted 2 years ago.
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Ms. Cheryl
When Maya graduates from 8th grade in chapter 23, she doesn't remember the event as a carefree, happy moment. What were the students in her graduating class expected to become when they grew up? How did the white man's speech dishearten and heart Maya and her classmates? On page 153 Angelou says that "the ugliness they left was palpable." What does she mean by this? What ugliness is she talking about? How might Mrs. Flowers have reacted to the white man's speech at graduation?
posted 2 years ago.
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Jan Sebastian
A young black girl in a white society is evidently seen as nothing more than a mere maid or even less than that. people in her classroom probably knew and expected that she would never rise in the social status, every time she attempted to become something more, aspire to grander things she would be shut down by people in her community. It is probable that many people in her classroom disliked her merely because of her skin colour and that's just wrong.
posted 2 years ago.
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Ms. Cheryl
How does this relate to today? Are social classes that easy today (for example they are based on your parents and not your own ideas)?
posted 2 years ago.
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Daniel Castrillon
I am a little confused by your question, what do you exactly mean by easy? moving on people in lower classes such as people living in shanty towns can relate to this. Its easy for them to say they want to go to college and study medicine but its really not that easy. I visited a family not long ago and they wanted to study nursery but the money was unavailable and on top of that they had to take care of their children. All of this leads to hatred toward other people and jealousy, maybe they'll work as maids and thats the ugly part of todays society. Money is the leader of the society and if you don't have a blackberry or the latest car, someone will feel superior and look at you as nothing as Maya is being viewed in this chapter. Oftentimes workers are treated poorly by people who think they're better, the only difference is that it used to be skin color now its all about the money.
posted 2 years ago.
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Maria Camila Rangel
Maya's classmates expected their future as farmers, carpenters or maids when they should be thinking bigger. Race limited the job opportunities for black people too. Whites were the only ones who could get the jobs that can assure a better lifestyle.
posted 2 years ago.
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Maria Camila Rangel
The whites man's speech dishearten Maya because he spoke about good things about whites instead of black. It was supposed to be an important day for these black kids and he spoke about opportunities whites got like lab instruments for science at their school. It made Maya feel like she was not important anymore that she didn't even care if his classmate's speech spoke about the great things they have. She says blacks are "not to be".
posted 2 years ago.
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Javier Higuera
The students in her graduating class expected to become great sport players, because supposedly thats the only thing black people are good at. The academic strengths are not shown, just their athletic. There is no interest for academics. The white man's speech makes the students feel that all their studying has been for nothing: the only thing black people are good at is sports. He leaves, saying that he has more important business to attend. Students believe most of the things the man said, and find the ceremony ridiculous.
posted 2 years ago.
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Daniela Alvarez
Students were expected to be athletes when they grew up. in the speech given by Mr. Edward Donleavy, the white man, he makes it clear that students achieve greatness only through the sport and not academically. He also named some of the graduates of that school who were athletes and did well, but never mentioned any student that did well for their academic performance or the possibility that one could. this hurt Maya and made the other students feel ashamed.
posted 2 years ago.
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Mafe Quintero
Social classes today is based more in moeny than anything else. Our own ideas may not be valuable, for example when you go to college you may have excellent ideas, but someone who have power, money and influences know he will go to that college, but maybe you don't. Money unfortunately plays a very important role in society today. It is stronger than your parents or ideas, money is what now matters to society more than anything else.
posted 2 years ago.
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Mafe Quintero
In Maya's graduation Mr. Edward Donleavy said in other words they will be only good in sports, like if their intelligence was not enough to be better than a white person. "The white kids were going to have a chance to become Galileos and Madame Curies and Edisons and Gauguins, and our boys (the girls weren't even on it) would try to be Jesse Owenses and Joe Louises" p.151. Maya felt that in a way all her expectations and happiness blow up, because although she was at the first place of her class, she will never succeed.
posted 2 years ago.
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Ms. Cheryl
Have you ever had an experience like this? I do not think that the white man even understood the importance and impact of what he was saying, but it still strongly moved Maya. I know that there have been people who have said things to me, and those things really helped me or hurt me, and I'm sure the person never even knew the impact. Can anyone relate? Share your story!
posted 2 years ago.
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Juan Sebastian Vesga
The students in her class expected to become sport players. Racism limited opportunities of jobs for black people. They did not get interested for the academics. The white man's speech dishearten Maya and her classmates because it spoke about good things of white people and about all the opportunities that have white people and not black.
posted 2 years ago.
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silvia aristizabal
The graduates of Lafayette Training School were expected to become carpenters,maids, farmers and handmen.The black community saw the graduates as important people.
The speech given was very humiliating or degrading now that they were talking about whites instead of black opportunities.
Social classes are still not easy. Many rich people, with a wealthy life do not collaborate with poor people that are found at the streets. Actually in my opinion many rich people are the ones who less collaborate in society and the less who have makes the effort. My father always says "Is happier the person who gives than the one who recieves" and is true because you feel good with yourselfposted 2 years ago.
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Andres
The students in her graduating class expected to become people that work too much and dont get what they should get. Some wanted to be like maids, and other lower class jobs. The white mans speech dishearten and heart Maya and her classmates because he only spoke good things about the white people and not black. He spoke that the black people were really good at sports and just talked about that. Maya felt really bad because she felt she wasnt important for the society.
posted 2 years ago.
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Diego
It is very difficult to talk about a lower class when we are all have the privilege of being in a moderate or high class. We simply just dont know what its like, we know its harsh and unfair, but we will never be able to learn how it is exactly their life is. My parents were part of the upper class, and when i ask them about how they viewed the social environmental, they have little to no response, meaning they probably did not care.
posted 2 years ago.
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Daniel Castrillon
Like uncle Willie said when Bailey asked the question to why did white people hated them so much, he replied because they don't know us. This white male comes from far away to give a speech, maybe he didn't want to offend them or maybe he didn't care and just went there to get some votes. The point is that he didn't knew any of this students, and it moved Maya because the guy had condemned their fate. It is unfair to compare people or even judge them, television and movies creates stereotypes and we should stop generalizing, that all poor people steal, or that colored people wear certain types of close or talk in such way.
posted 2 years ago.
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Ms. Cheryl
How does Maya´s grandmother influence her life? How is her relationship with her grandmother different from her relationship with her mother? Be sure to identify specific parts of the book to justify your answer!
posted 2 years ago.
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Daniel Silva
Before Maya went to Arkansas she was destinated to live a very hard life with her mother because she lived from gambling, but when they met momma she started to create some values in her life that her grandmother teached her. Although momma never reacts with any emotion to their affects, Maya feels she loves her.
posted 2 years ago.
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Daniel Castrillon
Maya's Grandmother has been a real influence in her life, most of all the manners and respectful things she had learned had come from her grandmother. As you can see Maya's grandmother or "Momma" is a respectful and calm lady, she refers to everyone as Mrs. or sister. Maya knows that if she does something wrong like saying "by the way" or other bad things will lead to a whipping or a prayer. In the other hand Maya's mother just relies on what her in-law has taught to Bailey and Maya, she leaves and gambles all the time. I believe that Maya's mother may be a little irresponsible. Mayas relationship between her grandmother i could say is greater than with her mother, the trip and the horrible thing that happened set them far apart maybe they didn't understand each other
posted 2 years ago.
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Maria Camila Rangel
I think the relationship with her mother was better than with Momma. I feel like Momma was one of the people who "caged" her until she left Stamps. She told her not to read whites' books when she loved Shakespeare and she was really tough when Maya did something wrong in terms of manners. Maya couldn't speak because she could probably be punished. On the other hand, Mother gave her a lot of freedom. It's in someway better than Momma but led her to complicated issues at the end of the book. Still, she was there for her no matter what she read, what she believed in or what her dreams were. She let her out of the "cage".
posted 2 years ago.
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Daniela Alvarez
Maya's grandmother was a really big influence on her because she was the one who raised her and taught her good manners. Her relationship with her grandmother was good, although she was not emotionally expressive but Maya loved her. Her grandmother was a hero for her and Maya shows that when her grandmother went to the dentist and she imagined momma fighting with the dentist.
posted 2 years ago.
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Jan Sebastian
i beleive that her grandmother was mostly a role model. she was always courtious to everyone and never failed to adress people respectfully despite the fact that people were very mean. She was very strict with Maya Angelou she was always ready to punish her for her misbehavings and never failed to correct her a bit harsly. For her respect was of the utmost imporance and she taught that to Maya Angelou.
posted 2 years ago.
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Ms. Cheryl
Who has influenced your life? We all have teachers, friends, family members (etc.) who have influenced us. Can you relate to Maya's life with someone besides your parents being a big influence?
posted 2 years ago.
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silvia aristizabal
In my life, my grandmother is the one that has influenced my life as well as my father. About my grandma, I think she is a very wise woman that every time that I talk to her I always learn something new because she loves teaching me life lessons. I like asking her questions because she gives me advices that she has already gone through. It may be similar to Maya's life because as everybody said before, elders are the wise people that have many things to offer and tell to the young.
posted 2 years ago.
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daniela
Maya's grandmother was a bigger influence on her than her mother because she was the one with Maya along her childhood. When Maya was forced to go life with her mom's family she didn't feel comfortable, Vivian wasn't even at home most of the time. Maya is always talking about her grandmother, as when the white man named her as Ms. she says that was a example of the respect people in the neighbor had for her.
posted 2 years ago.
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daniela
My mom is my bigger influence in life, I think i see her as a friend which i think is really important because i know i could trust her for anything doesn't matter what, she has already passed through many things and through my age. I think she is a young mom so that is also a plus, by this way she understands more many of the things from this times and be in some ways more open-mind.
posted 2 years ago.
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Daniela Alvarez
As her grandmother for maya, my sister has always been a big influence in my life. Older siblings are always a role model to small brothers and sisters. Its from who you are taking the example to follow. Both of as have been influenced by our family with artistic skills. I love my sister and javier :)
posted 2 years ago.
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Javier Higuera
“Who has influenced your life? We all have teachers, friends, family members (etc.) who have influenced us. Can you relate to Maya's life with someone besides your parents being a big influence?”
My life has been influenced by my grandfather a lot. Since i was a small boy, he taught me to fight for what i want, and that things are not going to be easy. He had to work very hard for everything he has today. He comes from a small town in Colombia and has work his way up and even got the opportunity to study at Harvard University. He has always support me in everything i like and work for. I had the opportunity to live with him and my grandmother for one year, and that made our relationship even closer. When i live with him he went with me to all my soccer games and was always there to support me and give me advice.posted 2 years ago.
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Javier Higuera removed this reply 2 years ago
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Diego
My life has been greatly influenced by people I do not know at a personal level. For example, writers or singers, people that have affected me with things they have done. I can relate to the message their trying to broadcast to the world. Other influences of mine are people I grew up with, that I may consider family, even though we are not related.
posted 2 years ago.
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Daniel Castrillon
In my life I have been influenced by my brother, i believe my brother is really dedicated and passioned. When he sets a goal he accomplishes it no matter what obstacle or curve ball is thrown at him. He dedicates his life in supporting every member of his family. I appreciate they way he organized his independent life so easily and steadily, i want to be as organized as he is with his time and i know ill get there. At last he supports or helps me anytime I'm having trouble, he approves or disapproves whatever wrongdoing or positive action i commit. It may be similar to Maya's relationship with Bailey and how close they used to be when they were children.
posted 2 years ago.
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