Episode 123: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

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Today, Fable and the Verbivore are sharing our January book club episode on Dr. Maya Angelou’s powerful memoir “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”.

In this episode, we talk about some of the many things that stood out to us about her story and her writing:

  • How steeped in the past this story felt, making the reader feel as if they’re bearing witness - hearing what she heard, seeing what she saw, and feeling what she felt

  • The emotional honesty and visceral language

  • The stories truly reflected universal childhood truths and growing up experiences (wounds and joys alike), while also clearly and unflinching represented and expressed the specific time and place of what it was like to grow up a black girl in the south and what her specific experiences were

  • The empathy, nuanced understanding, and emotional objectivity given to all the adults in her life, however flawed. It feels as though she didn’t back down from the hurt of the circumstances, but also strove to see the decision made by the people in her life in the best possible light

  • That the bravery she models in the writing of this truly courageous look back into the corners of her past feels as if it compels us to be equally brave and look into the shadows of our own histories

If it’s not yet obvious, we both love Maya Angelou’s writing and feel that this book has a lot to offer - both about writing memoir and life.

We hope you enjoy this episode! Keep reading, writing, and putting your voice out there!

Into the woods,

Fable & The Verbivore

Notes:

“A writer, poet, performer, social activist, and teacher, Angelou rose to international prominence as an author after the publication of her groundbreaking autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” Angelou’s published works of verse, non-fiction, and fiction include more than 30 bestselling titles. Her remarkable career encompasses dance, theater, journalism, and social activism. The recipient of more than 30 honorary degrees, Angelou read “On the Pulse of Morning” at the 1992 inauguration of President Bill Clinton.  Angelou’s reading marked the first time an African American woman wrote and presented a poem at a Presidential inauguration. In 2010, President Barack Obama awarded Angelou the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and she was the 2013 recipient of the Literarian Award, an honorary National Book Award for contributions to the literary community.” - https://www.mayaangelou.com/

The Verbivore reads several quotes. Here they are:

  • “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” Dedication made by Dr. Maya Angelou

    • “This book is dedicated to

      MY SON, GUY JOHNSON,

      and all the strong

      black birds of promise

      who defy the odds and gods

      and sing their songs”

  • “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” Foreward written by Oprah Winfrey

    • ““She spoke proudly, bodaciously, and often:

      “We are more alike than we are unalike!”

      That truth is why we can all have empathy, why we can all be stirred when the caged bird sings.””

  • “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Dr. Maya Angelou Quote

    • “Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning.”

We mention the power of hearing Dr. Maya Angelou perform/read her poems aloud. Here are some Links to those videos:

Books & Movies Mentioned:

Music from: https://filmmusic.io
’Friendly day’ by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
Licence: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

book clubBethany Stedman