Maya Angelou's history, marked by trauma and resilience, profoundly influenced her literary voice. Growing up in the racially charged American South, her early experiences with racism and abuse fueled her passion for social justice. The silencing period following her trauma, during which she became mute for several years, heightened her awareness of the power of language and storytelling. Through works like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, she addressed themes of identity, struggle, and empowerment, becoming a powerful voice in both literature and civil rights advocacy.