Maya Angelou Case

Characters

The number one character in this novel is the author and narrator herself, Maya Angelou. As she's growing up she goes by the name Marguerite Johnson. The novel is told from when she was the age of three to roughly around 16. Angelou describes herself as a big, "shit color", broad feet, with a gap tooth, nappy hair, skinny legged girl. However, I believe that because she thinks so negative of herself, she starts off as self-conscious girl who grows to be independent and strong. "Wouldn't they be surprised when one day I woke out of my black ugly dream, and my real hair, which was long and blond, would take the place of the kinky mass that Momma wouldn't let me straighten?" is a perfect quote that describes Maya because it shows how she wishes she looked like and what she thinks of herself at such a young age.

Bailey Johnson, Jr. was the name of Maya's brother. Bailey was only a year older than she was. He was a flat character considering the fact he was very conservative, quiet, and shy. He had black velvet skin with black curls and a smooth, calming personality. "Bailey could count on very few punishments for his consistently outrageous behavior, for he was the pride of the Henderson/Johnson family." That quote shows Bailey was well liked and loved his family dearly. Bailey was also very mature and supported his younger sister in all that she did when no one else did.

Mama was basically Maya's rock. Mama was really not her mother; she was her grandmother who took her in. Mama's real name was Anne Henderson. She had a powerful personality, with a loving heart. She was a strong believer of the Christian values and raised the children very strictly. According the novel, she was tall with big hands, and a soft voice. "People spoke of Momma as a good-looking woman and some, who remembered her youth, said she used to be right pretty". Once can tell Mama was a helping hand to the whole community of Stamps, Arkansas.

Maya and Bailey's father was named Bailey Johnson. He had an energetic personality. Mr. Johnson had big shoulders, tall, spoke proper English, and was quite handsome. The father was not in Maya's life very much, considering the fact he sent her off to his mother's at such a young age. Since then, he was always in and out. He and Maya didn't have a normal father-daughter relationship. "Everyone