Read this passage from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: ...some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and even more
intelligent than college professors. She encouraged me to listen carefully to what country people called mother wit. That in those homely sayings was couched the wisdom of generations. What impact does Angelou's use of the phrase "the wisdom of generations" have on this excerpt? It conveys the fact that she does not believe that educated people can be truly wise. It conveys the humor at the heart of the sayings that she is referring to. It conveys the respect she has for what people without a formal education say. It conveys her confusion over what Mrs. Flowers is trying to teach her.
It conveys the respect she has for what people without a formal education say.
Explanation:
As stated in the passage from "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," Maya Angelou directs attention to the admiration she feels for people who have not received any education. In that respect, she mentions that some of them are more intelligent than college professors, and makes reference to their thoughtful expressions.
The author creates suspense by building up to the scene. By including details about Mattie's movements and breathing it ups the levels of suspense. The author also drew the scene out super long, simply to add a huge level of pure suspense.
