MOTHERHOOD IN MAYA ANGELOU’S I KNOW
WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS

The Position of Black Mothers in Both Novels 4

In Black literature, writers mostly present two ideal mothers, biological and grandmother. The word mother is very important, very powerful. It is a word ripe with complexities, ambiguities, with biological meaning and also with emotional significance. The motherhood role takes several dimensions in both KWCS and LDL 3. Mother-child Bonds In KWCS and LDL the mother child relationships are varied and very complex. In Maya‟s first novel, her life becomes more of a struggle when her father, Bailey Johnson, takes her to live with her mother. Vivian does not have a clue about raising8 a child. To Maya, Vivian is too beautiful to have children. (KWCS.p.58) She has never seen a mom as pretty as she who was called “Mother”. (KWCS. p.58) But Vivian‟s bad mothering is not only because of her being beautiful, but also because of her youngster. Vivian‟s lack of protectiveness is the reason why Maya, at the age of eight, is raped. The fact that Vivian does not know that her daughter is living in a junkyard (KWCS. 245) shows once more her bad mothering. During Maya‟s holidays in Southern California, in her father‟s house, Vivian does not bother about whether her daughter is living in good conditions or not. Hence growing up is very difficult for many Black girls. When I give people only a glimpse of what my childhood was like with my mother, they try to make feel as though I am inhuman toward my mother. I do find it interesting that people can’t believe that a young mother can be apathetic toward her child. 9 Quincey shows here that she receives neither emotion nor felling from her mother. While growing up Vivian starts protecting her children from covert and overt societal discrimination. Vivian in the latter part of the book redeems herself to a certain degree. To prove her new behavior, Vivian rescues her daughter from the runaway junkyard commune when her daughter contacts her. She is ripe now and starts becoming the one her children counts on for acceptance, love, affection, security etc. She prepares then her daughter to accept Daddy Clidell as one faceless name added to [her] roster of conquests. (KWCS.213) The mother no matter how much affection she may feel for her child must give him or her instructions. 8 Angela Johnson. Toning the Sweet. New York: Scholastic, 1993, p.30. 9 http://www.npr.org/blogs/newsandviews/, what’s your mother daughter relationship, Retrieved July 17, 2011. 5 Bailey, while growing up, starts having conflicted relationships with his mother. Vivian suspects that her son is seeing some new friends who start drinking sloe gin secretly and told dirty jokes. (KWCS. 249) Being a mother who loves her child, Vivian cannot stand her son‟s new behavior. Growing up in such hostile societies as a boy is not the painless one would have though it to be (KWCS. 249). This conflict pushes Maya to put her son out of the house. In Black literature, mothers, to build a good bond, most of the time separate from their sons in some period of life. This can preserve the mother son bond. For instance Vivian and Bailey are Entangle in the oedipal skein. Neither could do with or without the other, yet the constructions of conscience and society, morally and ethos dictated a separation on some flimsy excuse, mother ordered Bailey out of the House. (KWCS. 250) states Maya. Because of the desire of Bailey for his mothers, their relationship becomes more and more complex. Throughout the novel Angelou considers motherhood as something sacred and special. At the end of the book, Maya gives birth to a son who she regards with love, but their bond is developed in her second novel Gather Together in my Name. In LDL Naomi brings Esther up with rules and regulations. For instance each time Esther wants to go out at night it is a real problem. To her, Esther has no right going out for only men are around and she does not want her daughter to waste her life: you’re not whore, can’t no man just call up here and you come running. No my daughter. Not in my house. (LDL. 104) Naomi warns. Naomi is serious and responsible this is why she can‟t help keeping her eye on her [daughter] real close. (LDL.101)So no matter how difficult life may be, mothers must do their best to bond good relationships with their daughters. This means that a mother, to bond a good relationship with her child, must forget everything that can prevent her from giving her child what she or he needs. Naomi loves Esther and is always available and attentive. This is why she couldn’t raise her to be useless. (LDL.50)

Grandmothers and other role models

Grandmother can be defined as the mother of once father or mother. Through slavery it was the grandmother who set standards for suitable behavior throughout the family. This phenomenon continues in the Black community of America. Usually in Black families, Grandmothers are considered as being primary caregivers of grandchildren. Although the present trend is seen in all ethnics and racial groups, the increase in grandmother-headed household is most prevalent among inner-city low income of African American families. In KWCS, Momma is charged to take care of her grandchildren since any of their parents does not want to take this responsibility. Their displacement accounts then for Maya‟s sense of not belonging. This is one of the reasons why grandmothers take care of11 their grandchildren. In LDL, Since Esther, is not ready to face the task of mothering, Naomi finds it necessary to help her grandson to grow strong and healthy. To raise their grandchildren, grandmothers have their own policies. It is undeniable that a set of values is very essential in a child‟s life. A child needs to be taught the basic tenets of a strong set of values. Which can make him or her becomes an effective decision-maker as an adult. Momma suggests that children: Must always be intolerant of ignorant but understanding of illiteracy. Some people unable to go to school were more educated and even more intelligent than college professors. (KWCS.97) Good decisions go with good values. Values are the standard, or the scale upon which decisions are weighed. Values, which are principles of behavior, can be considered as the indications which guide and direct actions. Momma, who is a strong religious figure, takes instructions from the 10 Jawanza Kunjufu. Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys. vol.2 Chicago: African American Images, 1985, p.3. 11 Maya Angelou, Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas. New York: Random House, 1976, p.108. 8 Bible. King Solomon writes in the Bible: The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. (Proverb11:5) The words righteousness and wickedness mean successively good values and bad values. Momma and Naomi use this method to raise their grandchildren The moral correctness of Momma and Naomi are imparted to their grandchildren. Teaching discipline is not easy as it requires wisdom. Enforcement of rules and hope are necessary aspects when training children. And Without values, an individual does not character, which is more important than knowledge. 12Time suggests that when you have knowledge without values it can be difficult for you to handle this knowledge. Naomi and Momma are not only useful but are necessary for the survival of their family. They provide discipline but also foods for their grandchildren. Raising children in a community where poverty is recurrent is not easy for grandmothers. By reviewing the African American literature, it is common for Black grandmothers and mothers to put the need of their family above their own. Momma and Naomi do their best for their grandchildren not to lack of anything. This is a very difficult task for they live in a community where poverty is at its climax. For no matter how much they had picked, it wasn’t enough. (KWCS.09) But if Momma and Naomi succeed in having something, thank to their good strategy this is works hard and saves. In a word, Momma and Naomi are economical. To them waste not, want not. (KWCS.48) Momma is the grandmother who owns a successful business store in Stamps; she has managed to have financial freedom. Naomi on her side believes in dreams and hard work. (LDL.41) Naomi goes Up North with hope and confidence, which are very important in success. The Bible says: […] those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not bet faint.