k that a man would ever do something as bad as rape to them. Maya looked at Mr. Freeman as afather figure. He was the only real man that was a part of her life. Being at a young age she thought that Mr.Freeman just loved and cared for her, just like any little girl would. But it went farther and farther. Mr. Freemaneventually forces her to have sex, and threatens her not to tell anybody. Any frightened little girl would have noidea what to do except to be quiet, like Maya had done. Going through this horrifying experience she becamestronger and stronger. She had to deal with the rape and having everyone know about it. Maya first deals with therape by going into a depression. She doesnt talk or do anything. Maya then finds a good role model who helps herto overcome the rape and to grow up. Mrs. Bertha Flowers. Having a role model gives Maya a chance to get overthe rape and learn to cope with it. Mrs. Flowers allowed Maya to come out of her depression and learn about manydifferent things. For example, to help Maya to come out of depression she says to her Now no one is going tomake you talk-possibly no one can. But bear in mind, language is mans way of communicating with his fellowman and it is language alone which separates him from the lower animal. Mrs. Flowers, also introduces Maya toreading books, she learns that she must be biased of ignorance, but understanding of the illiteracy, and also Mrs.Flowers introduced her to cookies and tea. Mrs. Flowers is a big influence on Maya by she helps her to overcomethe rape and teaches her about the different things in life. But Maya still overcomes another hard issue thatcontributes to her maturing. Abandonment is an issue that many kids go through. Kids parents today often abandon them and givethem to other people to take care of them. In I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Maya is like many other kids andabandoned by her mother and father, and she has to learn to take care of herself. When a per...
