Maya Angelou Research Paper

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“Love arrives 
and in its train come ecstasies 
old memories of pleasure 
ancient histories of pain.” This is one of many stunning and thought provoking phrases coming from the Poem, Touched by an Angel by world-renewed poet, Maya Angelou. Originally born as Marguerite Johnson, Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928 in St Louis, Missouri. Maya Angelou was raised by her paternal grandmother, and brought up with righteous principles and values. Angelou’s work is filled with subtle as well as forthright criticism and commentary on a variety of themes such as racism, and family, making her one of the most influential writers and civil right activists in the world. Angelou was raised in Stamps, Arkansas during the time period in which the south was heavy in its practice of brutality and racial discrimination was a common norm. Angelou’s family consisted of herself, brother …show more content…

According to The Caged Bird Legacy, a website created by the family of Angelou, Angelou was heavily influenced by the teachings of family, love, respect, courage and independence instilled in her by her uncle and grandma. Furthermore, Mrs. Annie Henderson owned a business, which was significant because it was during a time period when blacks owned very little. Angelou learned the value of work. This was not the only thing she absorbed, for it was through Annie Hendersons dedication to church and singing hymns at home where Angelou was introduced to one of the many arts she would love and master, music. Angelou’s love for the arts led her to study drama and dance at a school in San Francisco with a scholarship. Despite becoming a young single mother working as a waitress and cook, her first hand experiences with racism, single parenting and poverty would further pave the way in her works and participation in the civil rights movement.

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