How, and to what effect, has Maya, been depicted?

Question

I'm working on a presentation for a class I teach as a volunteer. I read the book a few years back, and don't remember much of it.

I would just like the main talking points that i can myself pursue. Reference to the text would be greatly appreciated.

Asked by Albert M #453049 on 7/12/2015 12:46 PM

Last updated by Aslan on 7/12/2015 4:56 PM

Answered by Aslan on 7/12/2015 4:56 PM

Maya has so much stacked against her:

-She grew up in the racist South where bigotry was the norm.

-She was raped at the age of eight.

-Her grandmother imposed a strict Christian upbringing on her.

-Maya feels "ugly" in a world of beautiful people.

Maya must come to terms with her past and present to make sense of herself and the harsh unfair world that she lives in.