Author(s): Sayed M. Ismail, Bibin Sam C
Maya Angelou had often been identified with the “Caged Bird” of her poems. A victim of male patriarchal society and belonging to the racially, marginalised black community, her life had been one of pain; and suffering. Angelou’s flair for poetry became her saving grace and gave her the much needed therapeutic support. According to Greek mythology, the Philomela or the nightingale is a song bird that sings of woes and anguish in full throated melody. As the legend goes this rather non-descript bird had been a beautiful girl by name, Philomela.