By: Maya Angelou

 Angelou is haunted by images of her ancestors’ first encounter with Europeans, which resulted in exploitation and slavery.  Focusing your Reading:  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?  Her marriage had ended, and she traveled to Ghana with her son, who planned to attend the university there.  What was the historical significance of the two castles located on the Cape Coast?  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.