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<br>First, Bailey Jr. serves as the most significant role in the protagonist's young life. In the novel, Maya distinguishably states, " I would be the major …show more content…
When Angelou was eight, she and Bailey moved to St. Louis to live with their mother Vivian, and her mother's boyfriend Mr. Freeman; soon after, Mr. Freeman sexually molests and rapes the young child; after such a horrid experience, the central character only speaks to Bailey who comforts and supports her. To sum up, Bailey gives much confidence to Marguerite throughout their childhood together.
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<br>Second, Annie Henderson influences her granddaughter as an all powerful role model. For example, "Momma," takes Ritie to a white dentist and demands that he help her, he refuses and says, " Annie, my policy it I'd rather stick my hand in a dog's mouth than in a niggar's." therefore; Momma goes inside to speak with him; Ritie imagines this entire milieu where Momma has victory. Ritie is also amazed at how well Momma adjusts to Los Angeles after living all her life in the small town of Stamps, Arkansas. All in all, Momma plays an important role in Ritie's up-bringing.
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<br>Another powerful figure in the leading character's life is Mrs. Bertha Flowers, who gains trust from the young