I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings: Finals

What did Marguerite hope the made-over lavender dress would do for her?

-White, Famous, Pretty, Popular

How do you think Marguerite feels about being an African-American?

-She doesn't feel proud of her race, or she feels the white girls are prettier and more popular. She feels ugly and self-conscience.

Why did the children's parents send them to Stamps, Arkansas?

-The parents were getting a divorce; to move in with the grandma; their parents couldn't care for them

What is the guiding force in Momma's life?

-God

How does Marguerite describe the cotton-pickers' lives?

-She feels that they are very poor; paid very little; in major debt

How does Marguerite feel about Uncle Willie? How is he related to her?

-She respects Uncle Willie. He is her father's brother. He is crippled and deformed (wasn't born that way).

How do you know that Marguerite has a good deal of self-discipline for a small child?

-She is very mature for her age. She wants to work hard and do the right thing. She has a good view of people.

Why did Uncle Willie hide in the vegetable bin?

-The KKK was looking for a black man to hang.

Describe Bailey. Include Marguerite's feelings about him:

- Bailey was velvet and dark skinned & dark skinned. (Graceful & smooth) Maya says her brother is a gift from God. (Skinny and small).

Would you describe Stamps as integrated or segregated? How do Bailey and Marguerite regard "whitefolksville"?

-Segregated; maya didn't really know what whites looked like; she was helping momma by getting meat. The meat is better in the town; white people are aliens, feet are small, skin is see through, walk on the heels on their feet; scared in the white territory

What are Momma's two most important rules?

-Thou shall not be dirty & Thou shall not be impudent

Why does Momma "keep her cool" so well when she is being aped by the "powhitetrash" girls? How does witnessing the incident affect Marguerite?

-Maya was very concerned at momma's behavior and why she acted so calmly. The girls weren't worth her time. She doesn't let the girls get to her and continues to hum to a tune. Maya is humiliated.

Why is it important to Marguerite to rake the yard again after the girls leave?

-The girls smuggled footprints; she is erasing the hurt and embarrassment of those girls

Why do the children loathe Rev. Thomas so much?

-He annoyed them and he is obese; prays too long; never remember their names; he takes the best part of the chicken;

Briefly describe the incidents that occur with Sister Monroe in church.

-Bailey and Maya were being disrespectful in church so they got beaten. Sister Monroe is so moved by the spirit that she yells "PREACH IT". She is overly wild.

Why was the judge from Pine Bluff so surprised when he saw "Mrs. Henderson"?

-He was surprised that Mrs. Henderson was a colored women; the judge was surprised that a black women owned a store. Momma is well respected (Mrs.)

Why did it take so long for the Depression to affect the African-American population of Stamps?

-Hit the white community hard; difference wasn't as obvious; already poor; momma kept store open by trade

Why do the children have such negative reactions to receiving Christmas presents from their parents?

-They children are wondering why their parents are missing from their lives and why they sent them away. They miss their parents; they thought her parents were dead and is angry at her parents; feels abandoned and unloved; presents give them false hope; momma thinks they are ungrateful

What is Marguerite's reaction to her father?

-She thinks he is very very handsome and is excited to see him and respects him; he is a stranger; white man disguised as a black man; she is afraid and nervous.

With what illegal activities is Grandmother Baxter involved? What do you think Momma would say about this situation?

-Prohibition, gambling & Grandma Baxter makes and sells achol; she gets people to help her sell her achol; momma wouldn't approve.

How does the children's lifestyle in St. Louis differ from the one they were accustomed to in Stamps?

-They eat differently ( larger portions, different customs and traditions); life is easier in St. Louis, more fighting; learn to dance.

How does the St. Louis school compare with that in Stamps?

-Children and teachers are rude & the school was huge; people sound more intelligent; manners are different

What are the children's uncles like?

-Well-known for city jobs; very mean & not always appropriate; infamous; loyal to family

How do Marguerite and her mother get along?

- They don't talk too much & she feels like her mom doesn't know her; intimidated by her mom's beauty, Maya thinks she is so pretty

Who is Mr. Freeman?

-Mr. Freeman is Mothers boyfriend and he watches over Bailey & Maya.

How did Marguerite find herself in an abusive situation? Was her mother irresponsible in trusting Mr. Freeman to sleep in the same bed as her daughter?

-Mr. Freeman took advantage of her and raped her and no she trusted Mr. Freeman. She could have woken Maya up to inform her for leaving.

Why didn't Marguerite tell her mother the truth about what Mr. Freeman did? Had she really understood what Mr. Freeman had done? Why did she feel lonely "for the encasement of his big arms"?

-Mr.Freeman threatens to kill Bailey if she tells. And she doesn't understand what Mr. Freeman did and feels bad for him. He misses mother.

Why do you think Marguerite escaped into reading?

-Her and Bailey had been growing apart

What are some of the feelings Marguerite had after the rape? In addition to Mr. Freeman's threats, what other reasons did she have for not wanting her mother and Bailey to find out what had happened?

-She didn't want to tell anyone and she was really desperate for Mr. Freeman and his love.

Why did Marguerite feel so guilty after Mr. Freeman's death?

-She thought it was her fault someone beat him up and killed him; since she lied he died, if she told the truth he would be in prison and wouldn't have been murdered; since he was released from prison someone beat him up

How does Mrs. Flowers come to Marguerite's rescue emotionally?

-She relates to her very well and gives her good advice; she makes her be proud to be a black woman

Why was Marguerite sent to work at Mrs. Cullinan's?

-She is a rich white women and she was sent there to learn how to be proper

Why did she break Mrs. Cullinan's favorite china?

-She wasn't respected by Mrs. Cullinan, called her Mary; Cullinan is an acholholic; married beneath her class; her step children are African American// Cullinan's kids are her husbands future relationship.

Why did Bailey stay in town so late? Why was he depressed?

-He misses his parents; bailey completely silent during his punishment; he thought he saw mother in a movie, but it was a movie; stayed late to watch the movie again, Kay Francis; he tries to dodge the train; momma was scared the white men would hurt bailey.

Why were the exhausted cotton-pickers anxious to attend the revival meetings?

-It's their getaway from their pain and rough lives; God plan; Maya doesn't like how the cotton pickers are treated she feels bad for them.

What comparison does the author make between the revival meeting and the activities at Miss Grace's house?

-A club; a strip club; people are looking for a getaway and forget about reality; white people burn in hell.

Why is it so important to the people at the Store that Joe Louis win the fight they are listening to on the radio?

-Joe Louis is proving to the white that they are stronger than all the white race, they may put them down in society but they are still stronger.

Why do you think Marguerite thinks of love as a treacherous, hateful word?

-She doesn't want to be taken advantaged of, Mr Freeman. She has a hard time trusting people. She doesn't want to get involved with a guy ever again.

Why did Tommy Valdon finally stop paying attention to Marguerite?

-Tommy thought she was too immature (her giggles, unable to speak). She was too awkward.

Who was Joyce?

-Bailey's first love

How does the weather heighten the atmosphere for the story told by Mr. Taylor?

-The weather affects peoples moods, it makes the story more eerie and makes the children uncomfortable and scared, everyone became very intense ; Florida left Maya a nice broch; Maya is scared of death; Maya's imagination messes with her and makes her terrified in the dark kitchen.

How is the white school different from the Lafayette County Training School? How are the black graduates different from the whites?

-The white school is much nicer, more money, better equipment; black grads have scholarships for sports and white grades have scholarships for education.

Why is Marguerite so upset by Edward Donnelley's speech? Why would she have preferred him to talk about?

-He was white & he talked about all the new stuff the school is offering for white; she hated being black; very rascists; how great white schools are

How did Henry Reed bring a feeling of redemption to the graduates and the members of the audience?

-He was valedictorian: he made Maya be proud of her race.

How does Marguerite's imagined version of Momma's conversation with the dentists differ from what actually happened?

-She sees her momma as a very confident aggressive woman.

What incident prompts Momma to get the children out of Stamps?

-Bailey helping get rid of a black man's body; momma and uncle willie getting old.

Considering what you know about Momma and the children's mother, Vivian Baxter, how do you think the two women got along?

-Without the children they wouldn't get along

Why did San Francisco change so much at the beginning of World War II?

-Asian population dwindled/ decreased, became very segregated, prepared for war.

Why is Daddy Clidell important to Marguerite?

-He is like the first father figure she has ever had and she really enjoys him; Daddy Clidell wants her to avoid conmen, they teach her tricks to avoid conmen.

Describe Daddy Bailey's girlfriend:

-She wasn't expecting Maya to be who she was and her and Maya have many differences; they don't like each other.

What excuse does Daddy Bailey make for his frequent trips to Mexico?

-He is making shopping trips. He is a cook.

Why is Marguerite so pleased when her father invites her to go to Mexico with him?

-So she could get away from Dolores and they can bond;

Why does Marguerite end up driving the car?

-Her dad comes back drunk; He had been with another woman.

Does the conflict between Dolores and Marguerite become resolved in a satisfactory way?

-No, Dolores ends up stabbing her; When they come home Dolores Gets mad about Maya is wearing his jacket;

Why doesn't Marguerite simply go back to her mother's?

-She doesn't want conflict between her and big bailey, she already feels so much guilt from Mr. Freeman

What does Marguerite gain from living in the junkyard?

-How to drive; to curse & dance & tolerance

Why does Bailey decide to move out?

-Mother doesn't approve of his actions and he disobeys her; he gets mad and decides to leave; Clidell is the only man of the house

How is Marguerite treated when she goes to the Market Street Railway Company to apply for a job? Why do you think she kept going back?

-She wasn't treated very well. The people were very racists and she was the first black woman to work a street car in San Fransico

Why is Marguerite, at 16, worried about her sexual orientation?

-She read a book about lesbians and she thinks her body is growing abnormally.

What prompts Marguerite to invite one of the handsome brothers to be intimate with her? What is the result?

-She was scared she was lesbian and she gets pregnant

Why does Marguerite wait so long to tell her mother about the pregnancy?

-She is scared that her mom would take her out of school.

How do Vivian Baxter and Daddy Clidell react to Marguerite's news?

-They support and encourage her; teaches her about maternal instincts

What feelings does Marguerite have when her son is born?

-She thinks he is beautiful but she is scared of raising him and doing the wrong thing, Vivian helps her to not be nervous around her own son. Maya truly loves her son.