Overcoming The Challenges In Maya Angelou's Life

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Maya Angelou’s life began in the small town of Stamps. At the age of three Maya and her Brother, Bailey, were dropped off at their grandmother’s house in Stamps by their parents. Maya lived her life as a store helper to her grandmother, Momma, and her uncle Willie. Her childhood was occupied by managing the store, going to school, and participating in cultural events. Maya’s went through many obstacles in her childhood such as the rape, desertion, and self discovery. Maya uses her relationships with other people to help her overcome the obstacles in her life. Throughout Maya’s entire life her brother, Bailey, showed to be the biggest reason for her to overcome obstacles by being supportive and loving as well as being the only constant in her life. In her early childhood Maya, believing that …show more content…

She raised both of them with strict Christian values to ensure they live good lives. Momma would never show the kids affection but that she would answer through acts and one phrase "God is love. Just worry about whether you're being a good girl, then He will love you”(57). Later Momma had introduced Maya to Mrs.Flowers. Mrs.Flowers was one of the most important people in Maya’s life that helped her discover who she really was. Without Mrs.Flowers Maya would never have discovered “her secret word which called forth a djinn who was to serve me all my life: books” (200). Although she was neglectful and from a bad family Maya’s mother, Vivian, helped teach both Maya and Bailey about love and respect in the big city. Maya envied her mother, “She was Vivian Baxter Jackson. Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between” (287). Vivian was the biggest support for her in her adult life after Bailey moved away especially through having the

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