Abstract: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is the most successful autobiographic novel written by African American female writer Maya Angelou. It depicts the arduous growing-up experience of a little black girl, Marguerite. Caged in both racism and sexism, Marguerite is self-abased and confused about her own identity. With the help of the people from the black community, Marguerite gradually realizes her value of existence as a black female and begins to fight bravely against racism and sexism. Marguerite finally grows from a self-abased little black girl to an independent and proud black woman. This thesis aims to analyze the process of Marguerite’s construction of self-identity. It concludes that only through identifying with the black culture and identity and forming positive attitude, can American black women construct their self -identity. 

Key words: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings; self-identity; construction; Marguerite

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction.1

  1.1 Introduction to Maya Angelou and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

  1.2 Literature Review

2. Marguerite’s Denial of Self -identity2

  2.1. Marguerite Caged in Racism

  2.2. Marguerite Caged in Male Dominance

  2.3 Marguerite’s Self-hatred

3. The Construction of Black Female Self6

  3.1 Marguerite’s Resistance of Racism

  3.2. Marguerite’s Subversion of Male Dominance

  3.3. Marguerite’s Recognition of Black Female Identity

4. Conclusions .8

Bibliography.10

Acknowledgements11