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I Know Why The Caged Bird Sing - Online Essay

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sing

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In her novel, “s”, Maya states “The black female is assaulted in her tender years by all those common forces of nature at the same time that she is caught in the tripartite crossfire of masculine prejudice, white illogical hate and the lack of black power”. Fortunately Maya was able to move beyond the crossfire, proving that she overcomes opposition that her status throws her way.
Being a young black girl in the 1940’s was not the easiest thing to be. At that time, the two kinds of people who were believed to be of little or no importance were blacks and women. Throughout the book Maya never really accepted the fact that she was not going to get anywhere ...

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mind set on becoming a streetcar driver. Even though her mother warned her that they didn’t hire coloreds, she was determined just as well. When she went to apply for the job, the white receptionist put great effort into discouraging her, mainly because she was black. However, this did not discourage Maya. She was even more determined to get the job, and swore “I would have the job. I would a conductorette and sling a full money changer from my belt.” (pg 268, line 3)
With persistence she was able to get the job and overcome the opposition her status as a black female threw her way. I think that the “crossfire” was what made her strong enough to stand up to those who found enjoyment in making life almost unbearable for her. Had it not been for people like the receptionist, and the white speaker at her graduation, she would not have been able to persist the way she ...

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I Know Why The Caged Bird Sing. (2005, April 27). Retrieved January 27, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/I-Know-Why-Caged-Bird-Sing/26031

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 4/27/2005 09:39:09 PM
Category: English
Type: Free Paper
Words: 373
Pages: 2

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