Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Race, Inequality, and Identity
Sex, Gender and Sexuality
Language
Religion
Family
Home and Displacement
Summary
Analysis
Marguerite sees Momma as one of the strongest and most powerful people in Stamps. She was the only black woman in the town’s history ever called “Mrs.” by a white person, though it was a mistake; a judge read her name as a witness in a petty crime that took place near the store; he didn’t know she was black, and when he realized his mistake he laughed. But the blacks in town believed this event was a testament to Momma’s greatness.
Though Momma is a highly accomplished businesswoman and upstanding citizen, calling her “Mrs.” is a laughable error to the white judge. It is a very serious matter to black residents in Stamps, however, for the respect of a white person (even if inadvertent or erroneous) is rare, and cause for celebration.
Themes
