Momma is Bailey and Maya’s paternal grandmother, who cares for them for most of their childhoods in Stamps, Arkansas. She is one of the only black storeowners in the area and deeply respected by the black community. She is a devoutly religious woman, and strict with her grandkids, but also ruthlessly protective of them. Eventually she sends Bailey and Maya away to be with their parents in California when it becomes clear that Arkansas is an unsafe place for them to live.
Momma (Annie Henderson) Quotes in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
The I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings quotes below are all either spoken by Momma (Annie Henderson) or refer to Momma (Annie Henderson). For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 7
Quotes
Momma intended to teach Bailey and me to use the paths of life she and her generation and all the Negroes gone before had found, and found to be safe ones.
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Chapter 17
Quotes
The Black woman in the south who raises sons, grandsons, and nephews had her heartstrings tied to a hanging noose.
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Chapter 24
Quotes
“Annie, my policy is I’d rather stick my hand in a dog’s mouth than in a nigger’s”
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Momma (Annie Henderson) Quotes in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
The I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings quotes below are all either spoken by Momma (Annie Henderson) or refer to Momma (Annie Henderson). For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 7
Quotes
Momma intended to teach Bailey and me to use the paths of life she and her generation and all the Negroes gone before had found, and found to be safe ones.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 17
Quotes
The Black woman in the south who raises sons, grandsons, and nephews had her heartstrings tied to a hanging noose.
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Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 24
Quotes
“Annie, my policy is I’d rather stick my hand in a dog’s mouth than in a nigger’s”
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Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
