In the novel, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou highlights her ability to create a colorful image of the setting being used through powerful symbolism. For example, Angelou claims “the crime that tipped the scale and made out hate not only just but imperative” (Angelou 28), when describing the disrespectful actions of an invasive Reverend from the family’s local church. Angelou incorporates jarring symbolism in respect to religion often, and I’ve thought about making that the focus of my response, since religion was so prevalent to people during the time period, and specifically the main character’s family.
I do not enjoy the slight sloppiness of the book’s structure. Angelou does not focus on one specific problem for the characters to solve, but rather describes shocking situations involving race and culture from the perspective of a young black girl. Although the structure can be interesting to some, I would enjoy the novel more if it had a more specific purpose. The vagueness is slightly distracting for me as a reader, as trying to determine the author’s focus while reading becomes difficult.