<P> I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a 1969 autobiography about the early years of American writer and poet Maya Angelou . The first in a seven - volume series , it is a coming - of - age story that illustrates how strength of character and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma . The book begins when three - year - old Maya and her older brother are sent to Stamps , Arkansas , to live with their grandmother and ends when Maya becomes a mother at the age of 16 . In the course of Caged Bird , Maya transforms from a victim of racism with an inferiority complex into a self - possessed , dignified young woman capable of responding to prejudice . </P>
<P> I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a 1969 autobiography about the early years of American writer and poet Maya Angelou . The first in a seven - volume series , it is a coming - of - age story that illustrates how strength of character and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma . The book begins when three - year - old Maya and her older brother are sent to Stamps , Arkansas , to live with their grandmother and ends when Maya becomes a mother at the age of 16 . In the course of Caged Bird , Maya transforms from a victim of racism with an inferiority complex into a self - possessed , dignified young woman capable of responding to prejudice . </P>
when was i know why the caged bird sings poem written
when was i know why the caged bird sings poem written
1969
1969