Transcript American Literature B- Unit Five Short Story “The Story of

By: Maya Angelou
Angelou is haunted by images of her ancestors’
first encounter with Europeans, which resulted
in exploitation and slavery.
 Focusing your Reading:
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

Autobiography
Historical Context:
Early 1960’s-Angelou was in Ghana
 Many African countries had recently gained
independence
 John F. Kennedy was president of the United States
 African Americans were demanding equal rights and
expressing racial pride.

 Literary
Analysis: Flashback
 Angelou describes events that took
place at an earlier time
 Ex. Flashback to the parade of victims
of slavery: “I allowed the shapes to come
to my imagination…betrayed by history”
(pg. 112).
 She talks about the disturbing images
and scenes that she imagines explains
why she is weeping.
 Literary

Analysis: Flashback
Ex. Flashback to her childhood in Arkansas
to help the reader understand her present
thoughts and feelings in Ghana.


She remembers people in her Arkansas
community bringing food to her grandmother for
the African-American travelers staying at her
home.
Comparing the welcome that African American
travelers received in Arkansas during segregation
and the welcome she receives as a traveler in
Ghana, where she is treated as a guest and shown
generous hospitality.
 1.
What thoughts or feelings do you
have about Angelou’s experiences in
Dunkwa?
 The account made me think about
how isolated people are today. I
can’t imagine going into a town
and having strangers take are of
me. It would be wonderful is
everyone were as hospitable as the
people of Dunkwa.
Comprehension Check
 Why did Angelou leave Egypt and move to
Ghana?



What was the historical significance of the two
castles located on the Cape Coast?


Her marriage had ended, and she traveled to Ghana
with her son, who planned to attend the university
there.
They were used as holding forts for captured African
slaves.
How did the people of Dunkwa welcome
Angelou?

The people welcomed her warmly, inviting her to
their homes and giving her food and shelter.
2. Why does she go back and why does it matter
to her so much?
 Angelou has a feeling of hope that she and
other African Americans can reconnect with
their heritage.
 3. What makes Dunkwa seem like home to
Angelou?
 She is fed and sheltered.
 Identified as an African and addressed as
“sister”
 She is reminded of the Arkansas home in which
she grew up.

 4.
Do you think Angelou should
have revealed that she was an
American?
 No, because the people of
Dunkwa wanted to believe she
was a “sister” and take care of
her.
 Yes, because meaningful
relationships must be built on
the truth.

5. How do you interpret Angelou’s strong
reaction the first time she passed by
Cape Coast Castle?
 She knew about the terrible history of
that place but tried to avoid confronting
it.
 When she passed by the castle, she
could no longer repress the images of
suffering.
 She realized that she had to make peace
with her ancestors who had suffered the
horror of slavery.