• Afshana Yousuf

Marguerite Annie Jhonson Angelous, known as Maya Angelou was a prolific American author, actress, screen writer, dancer, poet and civil rights activist. The poem substantiates the atrocities inflicted upon African people in America. The poem depicts her personal experiences as an African American slave. The poem not only depicts oppressions of racism, captivity faced by the African American people but also reflects the ray of hope for these oppressed people. The poem is a source of inspiration for the weak and the oppressed.In the present paper a study is made on oppressions faced by Maya Angelou as an African American slave and her undaunted determination for freedom.

Oppression, Captivity, Tyrannized, Optimism, Freedom, Hope.

"Reflection of Oppression and Note of Optimism in Maya Angelou’s Poem I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 1, page no.233-234, January-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1901629.pdf

"Reflection of Oppression and Note of Optimism in Maya Angelou’s Poem I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 1, page no. pp233-234, January-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1901629.pdf