In Maya Angelou's memoir "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," the relationship between fiction and truth is intricately woven through the interactions of Mrs. Bertha Flowers, Maya Angelou herself, and Momma (Annie Henderson), illuminating the complex nature of storytelling and memory.

Mrs. Bertha Flowers, a real figure in Angelou's life, serves as a beacon of wisdom and inspiration for the young Maya. However, Angelou's portrayal of Mrs. Flowers is not merely a factual recollection but a nuanced interpretation filtered through the lens of memory and artistic expression. Mrs. Flowers embodies both truth and fiction within the narrative, her character serving as a conduit for exploring deeper truths about identity, resilience, and the power of literature.

Maya Angelou, as both the protagonist and narrator of her own story, blurs the boundaries between fact and fiction. Through Maya's perspective, readers are invited into her world, where memory intertwines with imagination to construct a narrative that transcends mere recollection. Maya's interactions with Mrs. Flowers reflect her emotional truths and perceptions of reality, underscoring the subjective nature of truth in storytelling.

Momma, Maya's grandmother and a close acquaintance of Mrs. Flowers, provides an additional layer of complexity to the relationship between fiction and truth. As a character within the narrative, Momma offers insights into Mrs. Flowers' influence within the community and the ways in which her wisdom resonates beyond her immediate interactions with Maya. Momma's presence underscores the communal aspect of storytelling, where truth is shaped not only by personal experiences but also by collective memory and perception.

Through the characters of Mrs. Bertha Flowers, Maya Angelou, and Momma, Angelou navigates the delicate balance between fiction and truth, revealing the multifaceted nature of storytelling. In "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," fiction becomes a vehicle for accessing deeper truths about the human experience, challenging readers to interrogate their understanding of reality and the power of narrative to shape our perceptions of the world. In this way, Angelou's memoir exemplifies the transformative potential of literature to transcend the constraints of factuality and illuminate the universal truths that bind us together as human beings.