‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’ by Maya Angelou is a captivating and renowned African American novel. The novel’s narrative is centered around Margaret, a young black girl, and her unique perspective. The novel stands out due to its vivid use of color imagery, reflecting the racial divide prevalent during the time period in which it is set. Through Margaret’s narration, we observe her frequent references to people’s race using terms like ‘Black’ and ‘white’.
In her conversations, the narrator refers to Negroes as “colored people.” However, in a discussion with her brother Bailey, the ironic nature of this term becomes apparent. They argue about whether “colorlessness” exists, and Bailey unintentionally uses that term to describe a dead Negro. This reveals that Negroes cannot be categorized as either colored or colorless. Although the narrator displays her disapproval of white superiority over black individuals, she also shows that she accepts the social hierarchy in several chapters.
During the graduation ceremony, she expresses disapproval while her friend gives a speech. The use of the term ‘colored’ demonstrates her belief that white is the norm and black is considered colored. It is possible that she harbors disdain for both black and white. In chapter 23, she contemplates the colors she despises: ecru, puce, lavender, beige, and black. While she expresses hatred for shades of white, she specifically hates the color black. This animosity towards her own color can be perceived as a natural response stemming from a feeling of inferiority.
The text has the impact of generating empathy in readers and frustration towards the societal structure that influences a child’s perception, leading her to despise her own skin color. As the story unfolds, the protagonist believes that striving for equality is futile and comparable to rebellion, as demonstrated by the quote ‘Hadn’t he hear the whitefolks? We couldn’t be, so the question was a waste of time.’ This illustrates that the description of color is not solely about physical appearance but also encompasses the limitations of imagination and the basis of cognitive processes. Through the use of capital letters, the novel visually represents the narrator’s intended message.
