Maya Angelou Research Paper

Angelou, Maya , formerly known as Marguerite Johnson, is one of the most influential Renaissance women of our time. She is known for her books and poems such as “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and “Gather Together in My Name”. Not only is she a well renowned author and poet, Maya Angelou was also an active supporter of the civil rights movement during the 50’s and the 60’s.

Throughout Maya Angelou’s life, she has gone through many obstacles which later inspired her to write books and poems. Maya Angelou spent her childhood in Stamps, Arkansas with her paternal grandmother, Annie Henderson and her brother, Bailey. Growing up, her parents were not a big part of her life until she was six years old. On December of 1934, Maya’s father picked her and her brother
Louis, Missouri. There, Maya and Bailey acquainted with their mother’s family and boyfriend, Mr. Freeman. Moving from a small town to a big city was difficult transition for Maya and her brother. As a result, Maya and Bailey were traumatized. Maya found comfort in Mr. Freeman, though, and thought of him as her real father. One day when her mother was out and Bailey was playing baseball outside, Mr. Freeman raped Maya; she was only seven years old. Mr. Freeman told her not to tell anyone what happened between them or he will kill her or Bailey. The little girl’s body could not contain the rape and she eventually fell sick. When Maya’s mother found bloodstains on her daughter, she swiftly took her to the hospital. Maya eventually told Bailey what Mr. Freeman did to her and he was arrested. Maya had to go to court and answer questions about her rape, and Mr.