In her poem "Caged Bird," Maya Angelou juxtaposes two metaphorical birds to communicate themes of racism and color discrimination. She contrasts a playful, carefree description of the free bird with a dark, oppressive description of the caged bird, demonstrating the disparity between the treatment of white and black communities and the opportunities they have access to.

When the "powhitetrash" children approach, Marguerite and her brother Bailey, following their grandmother's instructions, generally remain quiet. However, Marguerite sometimes pinches them out of frustration and disbelief at their audacity. Her anger stems not from their unruly behavior in the store, but from the disrespect they show her family and the forced subservience her family must endure due to the racial hierarchy of the time.

Joe Louis' victory in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" symbolized a significant triumph for African-Americans, representing hope and resistance against racial oppression. When Louis struggled during the fight, it was seen as a reflection of racial injustices. However, his eventual victory instilled immense pride and a sense of empowerment in the African-American community, making them feel that they, too, were the strongest people in the world, if only for a moment.

Incident 1: Momma takes Maya to the office of a white dentist, Dr. Lincoln, because the nearest black dentist is twenty-five miles away. The dentist's secretary initially does not let Maya and Momma enter the office. Despite Dr. Lincoln owing Momma a favor, he tells her that he does not treat black people. Momma points out that she once lent him money to keep his practice, to which he responds, "my policy is I'd rather stick my hand in a dog's mouth than in a nigger's." Incident 2: Mrs. Viola Cullinan is a Southern white woman and Maya's first employer. Maya, feeling completely disrespected by Mrs.

The old path is one of deference to white people. When Momma teaches Bailey and Maya about safe paths, she means for them to stick to the prevailing racial code. Among other things, this means not being insolent to white people, not even in private, as this could be dangerous. Later on, Maya reacts to her Momma's teachings by asserting her dignity as a black woman and demanding equality.

In Maya Angelou's memoir, the "powhitetrash" characters represent the poorest class of white society in Stamps, Arkansas. Despite being viewed with derision by both middle- and upper-class whites and the black community, they were still considered socially superior to black individuals. While both groups had limited education, the "powhitetrash" were seen as lacking propriety compared to the black community, who generally viewed themselves as morally superior.

Angelou responds to violence in her life and society by initially accepting it as a part of life due to her circumstances and the pervasive nature of violence against Black Americans. However, when she experiences personal violence, such as her rape in Chapter 12, she initially withdraws and blames herself. Over time, she learns to express herself and overcome the trauma, partly through writing her autobiography, which helps her process and rise above the violence.

Angelou's journey as a Black woman profoundly influences her exploration of race, identity, and freedom through the use of literary devices in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." Metaphors, such as the caged bird representing the Black community and the free bird symbolizing the white community, highlight racial oppression. Similes and imagery further depict the constraints and aspirations of Black identity. These devices underscore Angelou's themes of resilience and protest against racism.