A Paragraph Response to I KNOW WHY THE GAGED BIRD 
SINGS By Maya Angelou (Chapters 10-15)


  From chapter 10 to chapter 15, Maya Angelou talked about her experiences in Saint Louis. She and Bailey lived with their grandparents for half an year, and then they moved to their mother's place. Their mother was living with his boyfriend named Mr. Freeman. Eight-year-old Maya was raped by Mr. Freeman. He was found guilty but escaped jail time. He was murdered later, presumably by Maya's uncles. After the one-year experience in Saint Louis, Maya and Bailey got sent back to Stamps.

  These five chapters fit with the rising action in the plot. Maya's experiences in Saint Louis was definitely the most miserable ones in her childhood, because she got raped by her mother's boyfriend. After the rape, she was well treated in the hospital, and her mother and the family tried to make her happy by giving her toys and flowers. Also, her uncles probably killed Mr. Freeman----the man who raped Maya. However, all these "cares" were material. No one ever asked her how she feels. The toys given by her mother, or Mr. Freeman's death caused by her uncles, were more like their compensations to Maya. They knew they were responsible, and they felt guilty of themselves, so they gave Maya these material compensations to make themselves feel better.

  The overtone or mood of these five chapters serious. They are successful, because Maya was talking about her miserable experiences. It is inappropriate to make this part funny. However, it is still good to read.