Humor as a Mask for Anguish in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Type :

Presentation

Pages :

3 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

06/26/2008

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Summary :

 
 

Table of Contents Humor as a Mask for Anguish in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Table of Contents

 
  1. One source of anguish that Maya tries to tickle with humor is her position as an African American.
  2. Maya's grandmother (Momma) is at the center of another African American-white encounter.
  3. Another source of anguish for Maya is her looks.
  4. Maya's less-than-perfect father also is a potential point of distress.
  5. A final aspect of Maya's life in which humor is used is in her copings with sexuality.

Abstract

As 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.

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About the author :

pencil image Elizabeth M.  
Level :General public Study : Others School/University : University of California, Santa Barbara