Final answer:
In 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,' Maya Angelou's purpose is to share her childhood experiences, and the tone reveals her personal thoughts and emotions about those experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
In I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, author Maya Angelou's purpose is to tell about her childhood, while her tone shows how she thinks and feels about her childhood. The tone of a piece of writing is the attitude or emotional quality that an author conveys through their choice of words and details. Angelou's memoir explores themes of identity, culture, and personal freedom, using a reflective and often poignant tone to engage readers with her life's journey and the social hurdles she encountered.
By sharing her personal experiences, Angelou communicates a deeper understanding of her cultural identity as an African American woman. Through her narrative, she provides insights into the effects of racism and marginalization, which she faced from a young age, and relates her story in a manner that appeals to both the emotions and intellect of the readers. In doing so, she not only recounts events but also conveys her reaction to them, letting the readers connect with the implications those events had on her life.