Home : I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings : Study Guide

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Study Guide

by Maya Angelou

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings study guide contains a biography of Maya Angelou, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

When Maya Angelou was three years old and her brother was four, they were sent from their father in California to their paternal grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. Their grandmother runs a store there, which is the center of life in the Negro community of the town. Maya starts reading and enjoying literature while she is in Stamps, Shakespeare especially, along with prominent black writers.

Maya talks about her great love for her brother. They are opposite in appearance, with him being more attractive and graceful; but despite their differences, their friendship is vitally important to the young Maya.

Angelou tells of how her grandmother's unfailing subservience around every white person angers her. A few poor white girls mock Momma, and then…

Read the full I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Summary

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Summary
• About I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
• Character List
• Major Themes
• Summary and Analysis of Introduction to Chapter 6
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 7-12
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 13-18
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 19-24
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 25-30
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 31-36
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: Major Themes
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: Questions
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Maya Angelou: Biography