Character analysis of Momma in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

Character Analysis of Annie Henderson (Momma) In Maya Angelou's autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, the reader is introduced to a vast ensemble of complex characters. Each character has a tremendous impact on Maya Angelou's life. One character who not only has great weight in Maya's life, but is also one of the most beloved and admired characters is Annie Henderson, Maya's paternal grandmother. She is defined by an unshakable faith in God, …

…granddaughter. Although I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings has many complex characters, none are as complex as Momma. She has a tremendous impact on Maya's life. Through living by example, she instills in Maya an unshakeable sense of faith, loyalty to one's community, and shows Maya how to have compassion for everything she touches. Although Momma is stern in her values she conveys the colossal extent of her love for Maya throughout the book.