I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings novel
Based on Maya's Chapter 3 incident and Staples' incidences of racism, you are to compare and/or contrast the two readings.
Brainstorming ideas for the prompt:
What is the context for both readings?
Who is involved?
Were the reasons for acting the way they did, the same or different?
- Maya's Chapter 3 incident takes place in a small town in the American South. She is a young Black girl, and she is walking home from school alone.
- Staples' incidences of racism take place in a large city in the American North. He is a grown man, and he is often the only Black person in the places he goes.
- In Maya's Chapter 3 incident, the only people involved are Maya and the white woman who confronts her.
- In Staples' incidences of racism, the people involved are often white strangers, but he also experiences racism from his friends, family, and coworkers.
- The white woman in Maya's Chapter 3 incident is afraid of Maya because she is Black. She believes that Maya is dangerous and that she should not be walking alone.
- The white people in Staples' incidences of racism are often afraid of him because he is Black. They may also be prejudiced against him or believe that he is inferior to them.
- Both Maya and Staples experience fear and anxiety as a result of the racism they face.
- Both Maya and Staples feel powerless to stop the racism they experience.
- Both Maya and Staples are forced to confront their own identities as Black people.
- The age and gender of the people involved.
- The location of the incidents.
- The time period in which the incidents occurred.
- The social and political climate at the time of the incidents.
- The personal experiences of the people involved.