1. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”
Class Notes

2. Important Facts About Angelou
Born April 4, 1928 in Saint Louis, Missouri
Given name was Marguerite Johnson.
lived in San Francisco
Graduated high school at 16
Was given the name Maya Angelou after her debut performance as a dancer at the Purple Onion cabaret.

3. Important Facts About Angelou
1961- Worked as an SCLC coordinator, co-produced musical revue called “Cabaret for Freedom”
1961- Moved to Egypt, married, became a reporter
1963- marriage ended – moved to Ghana
Worked as a reporter and became an administrator at the School of Music and Drama

4. Important Facts About Angelou
1966- returned to the U.S
Wrote a ten part series for a television show called “Black Blues Black”
Wrote “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” - a chronicle of her life up to age sixteen

5. Important Facts About Angelou
Author of novels and poems
Has written twelve best-selling books
Playwright
Professional stage and screen producer
Director
Performer
Singer.

6. The Clinton Connection
January 1993
became the second poet in U.S. History to write and recite original work at Clinton’s Presidential Inauguration.

7. Terms to Know Allusion Autobiography Biography Metaphor Imagery
A reference to another literary work, a famous person, place, or event.
Autobiography
An account of a person’s life written by that person and told from the first point of view.
Biography
A fictional account of someone’s life
Metaphor
The comparison of one thing to another without the use of like or as
Imagery
Descriptive language that appeals to the five senses.

8. Terms to Know Irony Verse Stanza Personification
A contrast between appearance and reality.. Reality is the opposite from what it seems
Verse
A line in poetry
Stanza
A group of lines in poetry
Personification
Giving an object, animal, or idea human characteristics