Humor as a Mask for Anguish in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
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document in English
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published 26/06/2008
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SummaryAs the quote from The New York Times points out on the back cover of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou’s novel is “Simultaneously touching and comic.” Through language, choice of detail, and the story itself, Angelou introduces humor and comic relief to a narrative filled with sadness, loneliness, and fear. The purpose of the humor goes well beyond entertainment purposes, as it is used by Maya as a type of defense mechanism. In I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, humor is used to mask deep hurt in an attempt to lesson emotional distress.
Table of Contents
- One source of anguish that Maya tries to tickle with humor is her position as an African American.
- Maya's grandmother (Momma) is at the center of another African American-white encounter.
- Another source of anguish for Maya is her looks.
- Maya's less-than-perfect father also is a potential point of distress.
- A final aspect of Maya's life in which humor is used is in her copings with sexuality.
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