Mom & Me & Mom

Analyze Vivian by identifying her flaws and strengths. How does Angelou describe these traits?

Angelou and Vivian manage to rebuild their relationship despite the latter’s abandonment. How do they navigate this endeavor? What are the differences between Angelou’s relationship with Vivian in her childhood and in her adulthood?

Why is Bailey unable to reconcile with his mother? How does this impact his life as an adult? Use direct evidence from Mom & Me & Mom to support your answer.

For Angelou, independence is a key value. With that said, how does she navigate married life with Tosh Angelos? What leads their marriage to end?

Angelou and Vivian support each other as family and fellow women. What are three moments when the two reinforce and sustain each other’s womanhood?

Angelou finally addresses Vivian as her mother when she becomes a mother herself. Why is this the case? What role does Vivian play in Angelou’s embrace of motherhood?

What forms of oppression do Angelou and Vivian face as Black women? In what ways do their experiences differ? How does their bond resist social constraints?

According to Angelou, what is the meaning of love? Why does she connect it to liberation?